In my previous article I wrote about a dream that I had about two gardens that were very opposite in nature, one was on earth and the other in heaven. I wrote about how God brought to memory certain scriptures in the weeks following this dream and how each scripture held an underlying principle that contradicted a worldly norm or concept. I also included three of these scriptures – John 5 vs 24, Colossians 2 vs 15 and 1 Samuel 16 vs 7.
In this article, I will share further scriptures that the Lord has revealed to me regarding Kingdom ways as opposed to earthly ways.
I will begin with1 Corinthians 1:26 – 27: Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.
Earthly organisations only call for “the best”. Companies want the most qualified and skilled workers and sports teams want the best players. Our acceptance into society is based on our level of education, qualifications, knowledge, job titles, wealth, and possessions. God however does not care about any of the aforementioned. On the contrary, those called to serve Him are often the most unexpected of people. Think about the company that Jesus kept – uneducated fishermen and seedy tax collectors. All that is required for service in God’s Kingdom is a willing heart.
In my journey with my Father, I have met some interesting people including a former drug addict, a woman broken by divorce and a depressed teenager. All were at their worst when they were called, but when they responded to God’s call their lives were changed – they were healed and restored by Him. One is in full time ministry today.
Let us look at Luke 22 vs 24 – 27: Now there was also a dispute among them, as to which of them should be considered the greatest. And He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves”.
In this world, “greatness” is often associated with our level of knowledge, popularity, wealth, and power. Some even oppress others to achieve “greatness”. Look at Adolf Hitler in World War 2. Greatness in society is a term that focuses on self – “I” and “me”. Greatness in God’s kingdom however is determined by how we serve and care for others and what better example is there than Jesus himself.
The following is a Godly concept that I still struggle to truly integrate into my life. Matthew 5 vs 43 – 45: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven”.
Hating those who have offended, opposed, oppressed, or hurt us is the norm amongst people. As a result, strife, revenge, family feuds and even civil wars have been part of our societies and cultures for centuries, but God calls for another way – one that is once again very contrary to ours.
I was not aware of it at the time but some of my mindsets were hindering my spiritual walk and preventing me from moving into my calling. My Heavenly Father addressed some of these misaligned paradigms very directly through the above-mentioned scriptures (and others that I have not included). He also showed me that Kingdom ways are very often the opposite of worldly ways; requiring us to think, act and react differently – often in the exact opposite way that we normally would.
Doing the opposite – resisting my usual actions and reactions has been difficult, and still is, but each time I’ve done so, I’ve grown in some way or another. A couple of weeks ago I was asked to participate in a skit at a discipleship training centre. As I hated performing, my natural reaction was to decline but I accepted instead, trusting that my Heavenly Father would undertake for me. That day I lost my fear of performing on stage. This is just one example.
I’d like to conclude with Isaiah 55 vs 8 – 9: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts”.
God Bless