Matthew 13:44-46 asks this question in a parable: What’s important to you? If you do not know, consider where you spend your time, your money, and your thoughts; then you will be more aware of what’s important to you. Where does establishing God’s kingdom fit into your life and choices? I ask myself the same also. By the way, we do not have to die to begin experiencing and establishing God’s kingdom.

This kingdom does not come about through weapons and wars, rather it comes about through our expressions and acts of love, mercy, and kindness. It comes about through forgiveness with the goal of being reconciled with one another as God has reconciled us.  We, Christ’s Church, show the world what God’s kingdom is like by how we live and treat others. Do our works and way of life testify that God’s kingdom is important to us? Unfortunately, sometimes we neglect “kingdom values” and allow things of lesser value to thwart the kingdom of God. Have you ever done that? (I have)