The time has come. The kingdom of God is near because kingdom's King is here walking among them, proclaiming the good news of God (Mark 1:14-15).
But they just don't know how to recognize You. They've never been close enough to You, acquainted enough with You to realize that the one standing beside them is - the One.
Am I close enough, acquainted enough to recognize You beside me? Near me? Walking with me through my life, these streets? My hallway?
“The kingdom of God is near, ” He whispers to them.
“The Kingdom of God is near,” He cries out.
But they don't know Him, - He is a mystery to them.
A turn of the heart - and the kingdom will not only be near but will envelope them, envelope us, envelope me.
Because the kingdom is wherever the King of the kingdom reigns…
Do I let the kingdom come so near to me today and not reach out and take hold of it?
Do I continue on in a rebellion against You that I may not even always be aware of?
The kingdom of God
was so near that day,
the world looked young
and the kingdom seemed so
magical
And I loved the King
wanted His presence
His love and His life
in me
Now
I am more worn, weary and dusty
I am not unchanged
But the kingdom and its King
are still the same…
and still…
the time has come.
The time has not yet passed.
the time is still now.
(Heb. 3:13, 2 Cor. 6)
The kingdom is still near
and still beckons,
as it always has -
its King still calls:
“Swear allegiance”
to some
and to others
-to me-
to renew an allegiance
already sworn.
To repent of all those things
that keep me from being
completely Yours.
And to believe
the good news of God.
You are
the good news of God.