“My kingdom is not of this world.” (John 18:36)

The kingdoms of this world; what do they look like? Each has its unique set of operating principles whether Pilate’s kingdom with its political and military priorities, America’s kingdom with its emphasis on success and status, or my kingdom with its unrelenting busyness to provide the best for my family. Each kingdom naturally seeks to secure itself from external threats. Jesus tells Pilate His kingdom is not like those at all: “[Mine] is not of this world” (v.36). Operating on vastly different priorities, Jesus’ kingdom dwellers don’t remove themselves from their personal kingdoms; rather they work within them, helping and sacrificing for others because their King has sway over their hearts. 

How much do I let the markers of these worldly kingdoms infiltrate my identity? I’m an American, a wife, a mother, and more, but it is easy for my Real ID to get buried in all that anxious striving to get ahead. Since above all I identify as a Christian, those other kingdoms I inhabit must be overlaid – if not entirely replaced - with Jesus’ kingdom priorities. Then I can be a mom with fifteen places to be today, a boss with four Zoom conference calls to facilitate, a middle school student struggling with acceptance, an employee facing long hours in close quarters afraid of contracting Covid - because my Christian, Real ID shows me My Kingdom is temporary. America, my family even, is not my ultimate home; a strong economy and a Covid vaccine are not my ultimate hope. With my focus where it belongs – on Jesus and eternity -  my anxiety to get it all done can be replaced with the Spirit’s calmness (“be still and know” Ps. 46:10) and my desire for approval eased with acceptance from the One whose Kingdom is not of this world. If this reordering of focus feels like a daily struggle, it is.

It’s tough living in our worldly kingdoms, but it’s even tougher when we start living in ways the world doesn’t expect. If we don’t want worldly kingdom principles to take priority, we must trust in Jesus’ ultimate control over our workplace, our health, and our families. Jesus always wins, and thus so will we, but it might not look like it, and it probably won’t be on our timetable. Jesus won by His death and resurrection.  Keep eternity in focus; let everything else adjust to that. Yes, still endeavor to be the best mom, student, or employee, but do so with reliance on His Word, wear His humility, adopt his loving kindness, and ask for His wisdom. With His kingdom priorities, we can operate more effectively – more like Jesus - in our realms of family, neighborhood, and society. Perhaps we can even transform some of those other-kingdom dwellers in the process. That is Jesus’ ultimate goal; it should be ours, too.

Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world, but He knows you do have to live here; He isn’t counseling escapism. So how can you let your current focus on family, job, politics, or health adjust to God’s eternal one?