When it comes to thinking about how we are to live in this world while we prayerfully wait and pray for God's Kingdom to come, John Smed gives us a helpful parable.
"Imagine a Fortune 500 company buying out and taking over a smaller company which has fallen on hard times. The takeover company is Dominion Realty. it is a massive company with offices and operations all over the country. Dominion buys out Independent Realty - a smaller company.
"The day after takeover, the Dominion boss forms a transition team of managers. Their task is simple. He gives these instructions, 'I give you three years to make Independent into a Dominion company. I do not want to chop this company up. I want to renew and rebuild it. Keep as many employees and managers as possible. Win them over if you can. At the end of three years I am coming to see what you have done...you know my expectations. You know my values. Anytime you need my help just call. I will give anything you need. Now go to work.'
"At the end of three years the boss comes back. It is the end of a busy week. Everyone is at the office to pick up their paycheck. Unannounced, he enters from the back. he walks towards the front office. it is pretty obvious who he is. As one employee said, 'You just kind of know.'
"Everyone has been waiting for this day."
That is a very shortened version of Smed's little story, but it illustrates a helpful point. We are working, not for the 'old company' but the 'new'. One day the boss is going to return. When he does will he find 'employees' that are ready. Employees that have been sabotaging or serving his new Dominion?
QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
- How should the prayer 'Your Kingdom Come' impact how we live life in the present?
- How does this lead you to pray?
You can get a hold of John Smed's book here.