the kingdom of god.

The kingdom of God is a beautiful thing.

Honestly, there's nothing like worshiping the Creator of the Universe with several thousand people.

There's nothing like sitting in a room full of college freshmen listening to them share their stories, their dreams and aspirations, the things God has placed on their hearts.

There's nothing quite like marveling at the beauty in people as they walk to and from class.

Lately, I've found myself in awe of the way in which God's so uniquely crafted each and every one of us. How he's calling us to different roles in society, to different places around the world.

If only more people realized their potential and paid attention to that call. I feel like society impresses upon young people a pressure to become successful, to make a life for themselves. I saw this quote the other day, and I find it incredibly troublesome:

Life is not about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.

On another occasion, we could talk about what exactly "finding" oneself implies. But for now, my point is that I certainly don't believe life is about "creating" ourselves. In fact, life isn't even about us - or shouldn't be about us, at least.

I worry that too many kids aren't hearing the right message.

And to them, I want to say that this life is about bringing glory to our God. This life is about humbly following his heart. Falling before his throne. Giving way to his call. Being his hands and feet. Defending the fatherless. Rescuing the oppressed.

Sure, it might bring success. It might even bring money and fame. But I hope that's not all we focus on.

On many occasions, I've found myself sitting in our twice-weekly chapels praying that the Lord would light a passion in the students here. I so desire for people to experience God in the same way I have. To understand him in the rather simple and quite incomplete way I've understood him. To grasp the fulfillment and abundance that's comes with his presence. To have a passion for following him and living their lives for him, and only him.

Ever since I've returned from Tanzania, the concept of creation returning to the Lord has been on my mind. In one of my previous posts, I mentioned how Pastor James had a unique perspective on the terrible drought there: it's God's way of renewing the land and calling the people back to him.

And the concept seems to be at the forefront of my mind once again as I read about the fall of man and the flooding of the earth in one of my classes. Since the beginning of time, or at least the fall, creation has been yearning for renewal and restoration. Paul puts it well in Romans 8:22 when he says,

"We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies."

Now, things are incomplete. Now, things are messed up. But someday, "we will see him coming on the clouds of heaven" (as Hillsong sings). Someday, all of creation will return to him.

And until then, I hope that more people will be overwhelmed by his glory, his majesty, and his beauty. So that they will come to grasp how fearfully and wonderfully they have been made. So that they will use their gifts to bring him praise with their lives.

So that justice and love can mark the work of the kingdom,

to point people to the King,

to restore the earth.

May our hope be in Yahweh, whose love is greater than all.

He shall reign forever.