“You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out — perhaps a little at a time.” —Wendell Berry
I’m new to my neighborhood. I have high hopes of making new friends and building community. I make eye contact, smile, and greet every neighbor I see. And some of them return the greeting.
But many do not.
“Not Ideas About the Thing but the Thing Itself” is a poem by Wallace Stevens. Borrowing that idea, author Greg Boyle describes, in The Whole Language, how we don’t want to settle for a description of the kingdom, we want the kingdom itself.
When I read that, I teared up. It connects very deeply to the longing in me. My desire for connection and unity with my neighbors is a longing for the kingdom itself.
Do you long for more than ideas about the kingdom?
Longing can feel like sadness, but it indicates that there is more — more than ideas. Longing tethers me to hope — hope in Jesus’ restorative, reconciling action in my neighborhood. I hope in the reality that we are created for belonging and kinship.
How do I cultivate belonging when my neighbors don’t appear to want to connect?
I don’t have the answer. Perhaps I will have to live it out, a little at a time.
I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.
Wait on the Lord;
Be of good courage,
And he shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the Lord! Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV
We wait. We pay attention to the goodness of the Lord. We stay consistently available and near. We smile. We will not settle for merely the idea of the kingdom kinship.
Prayer:
Strengthen our hearts, Father. In the face of questions, empower us to be of good courage, Spirit. We are grateful for you, Jesus, our answer. Amen.
By Elizabeth Mullins, Update Editor
Durham, NC, US
Thank you, Elizebeth for asking, “Do you long for more than ideas about the kingdom?” This has proved to be a thought and heart provoking question and search.
So far, my community and neighbors have taught me that we all desire to know and feel accepted, a fellow human, even when there is disagreement on some stuff. Food and beverage help. I think that’s a little of what kingdom thinking and being is for me.
Hi Elizabeth,
May I suggest that God has given us a “kingdom building formula”. In John 13:35 we read: John 13:35: 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another”. (New International Version). As Jesus’ disciples we are admonised to “walk the talk” and “talk the walk”. We could call this “being a light/beacon for the kingdom”. Sister, be encouraged. You are actively and wonderfully participating in that kingdom building calling !
You are so kind to try to encourage me. My motivation, though, was not to elicit advice. It is always to attempt to give voice to the questioning and wrestling others might also be feeling, so they can know they are not alone. I believe “me too” are powerful words — breadcrumbs that lead us to hope!
Hi Elizabeth,
Thanks much for the response. My comment was shared in a „me too“ „place sharing“ spirit. We are often in the samevboat with similar feelings and felt challenges.
God for us, with us and through us.
Every blessing,
Santiago
Yes, God for us, with us, and through us. Amen.
Blessing to you, Santiago.
Amazing! This devotion was vulnerable and relatable and hopeful.