Here's a thought, scripture, and prayer to guide us.
Thought:
In the beginning, God spoke the universe into existence, crafting a cosmos teeming with life and declaring it "very good." Humanity, made in his image, was placed in a garden to walk in unbroken fellowship with him. The culmination of this grand narrative is seen in Revelation 21 and 22, where a new Jerusalem descends, and God's presence fills creation, healing and renewing all things. In between both narratives lies the tale about the muck we brought into the picture when allegiance wandered and we messed it all up. This journey from Eden to the New Jerusalem reflects God's relentless pursuit to restore what was lost by bringing us back to be his gardeners, calling us to live in the tension of the "now and not yet"— experiencing his Kingdom breaking into our present while yearning for its full consummation. As we embrace our identity as God’s imagers and partner with God in his mission of reigning here and now, we can and ought to be fully walking in his goodness in the "land of the living" (Psalm 27), embodying the Kingdom life Jesus taught in Matthew 5-7, marked by love, humility, righteousness, and confidence.
Scripture:
"Yet I am confident I will see the LORD's goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD." Psalm 27:13-14 NLT
Prayer:
Father God lead us to live in your "land of the living" here and now, today, and prepare us to be with you forever by bringing everyone we can together with us. In Jesus name amen!!
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God bless you and go get after it!
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