Here I sit in the legislative reading room in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
It is easy, being inside this grand structure, to feel that this
Provincial Government, this country, is much greater than one person.
That for one person to give themselves to this would be natural and
worthwhile. Sitting here one may come to the conclusion that this place
deserves service because it is greater than self.
However
one must remember that a higher allegiance is owed to one greater than
king or country. For these grand structures will rise and fall. It is
inevitable; it is history; it is humanity. The Kingdom of God will last
forever. And yet that Kingdom is quieter. It’s publicist not as vocal
or evocative to the modern mind. The war for control continues. This
World versus that Kingdom. Back and forth, a seesaw game most don’t
care is occurring. This is not to say that Government is bad, or
service, or working, or any of those things we pursue so avidly. Rather
it is the position and importance we give these things that needs
restructuring. The highest call, to serve God. Oh that we would be open
and overcome to that reality. Humbled and honoured to participate. This
world is never satiated, an ever-consuming maw of acquisition; that
Kingdom, an eternal ever-giving sacrifice of fulfillment. To whom do
you give that honour? To whom do I?
There is something greater than ourselves out there. Greater than any
mind can conceive or comprehend. Yet we settle for the comfortable call
that is greater than self, but not beyond understanding. We give our
lives, time, will, and all, to pursuing education, seeking knowledge,
saving lives, shaping worlds, raising families, and the list goes on.
Again, these are not bad, and are necessary. Yet the call is greater,
and more vague; a call that rings out as relevant today as when first
spoken. Follow me. Your fishing boat, your nets, your tax booth, your
desk, your bank account, you cause, are all to be subordinate to that
“follow me.”
But there are no legislative buildings for the Kingdom of God near
where I live. At least none openly visible made of stone and mortar. No
great temple or monolithic cathedral. That is because we are to be that
temple to each other; our actions and our sacrifices to be the hall of
that Kingdom. What is the Kingdom? It is feeding the hungry, comforting
the widows and orphans, and clothing the naked. Our actions and our
inactions are our failures and successes. May we act and not, when it
is right. May we not and act, when it is wrong. May we subject
ourselves to the highest authority and kingdom. May we lose our life to
gain it. May we answer the call.