I’ve lived in Africa, then Minnesota, then Japan, then California, then Louisiana, then . . . And I have often asked myself, “Why am I here?” The answer that has consistently come: “The same reason you’re anywhere on earth.”
In what we call the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus says, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This is about praying down the reign and activity of God on earth. And God invites us to participate. More than anything else in life, I want to be part of God’s reign and activity that blesses people’s lives, especially when it changes them for eternity.
We’re hardwired to feel good when we bless people in some way because it increases our innate sense of meaning and purpose. Universally, this sense transcends the levels of happiness we gain from material possessions or piles of money. And what more meaning and happiness could a person ask for when blessing others influences them for eternity?
As I imagined my ultimate hope in life, the word that came to me seemed odd at first: usher.
I want to be an usher of the Kingdom of God. Like an usher at an event or at church, I want to connect people with what God is doing. It’s not about being a religious professional. It’s about connecting deeply with God and deeply with people—and ushering the two together.
It’s simple really, being an usher of the Kingdom of God. Like anything else it happens in big ways or small ways every day. I do it as a pastor, teacher, and writer. But God has a billion other ways you might do it.
Given who you are as a person, if you could do anything in the Kingdom of God that would bless others and influence them for eternity, what would you do?
And if you like, let me know.
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photo credit: marcoverch | creativecommons.org
