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MEDITATION:

Written by N. T. Wright, a contemporary New Testament scholar, theologian, and Anglican bishop. This is an excerpt from this book “Simply Christian.”

Despite what many people think, within the Christian family and outside it, the point of Christianity isn’t “to go to heaven when you die.” The New Testament picks up from the Old the theme that God intends, in the end, to put the whole creation to rights. Earth and heaven were made to overlap with one another, not fitfully, mysteriously, and partially as they do at the moment, but completely, gloriously, and utterly. “The earth shall be filled with the glory of God as the waters cover the sea.” That is the promise which resonates throughout the Bible story, from Isaiah (and behind him, by implication from Genesis itself) all the way through to Paul’s greatest visionary moments and the final chapters of the book of Revelation. The great drama will end, not with “saved souls” being snatched up into heaven, away from the wicked earth and the mortal bodies which have dragged them down into sin, but with the New Jerusalem coming down from heaven to earth, so that “the dwelling of God is with humans.” (Revelation 21:3).

PRAYER:

Written by Kathryn Shirey, a contemporary Christian author.

My Father, who art in heaven, I submit myself to you as the ruler of my life. All I have is yours, Lord. Help me to live according to your rules. Establish your kingdom here on earth, Lord, so others may know you too. May your kingdom spread throughout our land and bring more of you to this world so in need of  your loving rule. Help me to be faithful in helping advance your kingdom here. Show me the path you have set before me, so I may follow in your way. Lord, may thy kingdom come. Amen.