The Kingdom of God needs action
We can expect God to open ever door. But that's really not how it works.
"Sometimes God doesn't open doors" explains Bob Goff in Love Does, "Sometimes he wants us to kick them down".
I've been thinking about this since I heard that quote from the Audiobook. It certainly Biblically backed up. Not only does Jesus say
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and and the violent take it by force. (Matt 11:12 ESVUK)
The meaning, which is clear from the context, is that we need to advance the kingdom not passively wait for it. Those who saw John's ministry were desperate for the kingdom and push into that.
We see clear examples in the Bible where there is resistance to God's kingdom. Just a quick glance at Jesus' life shows us that people reject him and eventually crucified him.
We also see this in Paul with his mission trips. Sometimes the path was easy but the majority of the time there was troubles. Shipwrecks, persecution, false rumours were all part of the course for Paul.
Comfort is not a sign of God's approval
If Paul had used comfort or ease as the indicator of whether he should or shouldn't go, he would have given up at the start of his first mission trip.
Fortunately, he didn't. He knew that just because there was resistance, that didn't mean it was wrong.
It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that God will make clear the right path forward. That as long as we are listening and following him, it will be easy. In fact that should be our guide for what to do. Right?
Wrong.
Sometimes it happens but often there is opposition. The powers and principalities of this world do not want God's kingdom to advance and resist it. This world has still not be renewed and sin still affects us.
If "ease" was a sign of God's approval...
Then it would be hard to distinguish laziness and God's will. After all, being lazy and not doing anything adventuruous is extremely easy (even if it isn't satisfying). Even when God intervenes mightily, such as the parting of the Red sea, it often follows a period of intense difficulty and usually doesn't resolve every problem.
But why? Why isn't following God's will easy and stress free?
This particually comes under the topic of suffering but there are differences. Here are some quick thoughts that aren't exhaustive.
- For growth (You can't grow in your comfort zone)
- Other people resist (God's kingdom is against the ways of the world, people resist that)
- Other powers resist (the prince of the world and other powers and principalities don't want to give up control. They resist)
- It's a test of desire. (Do we really want this? Does it really matter?)
- It can help remove distraction (Instead of spending money on that thing, will we use it for this mission? We will choose to spend time forcing this thing to happen instead of watching netyoufacetweettok?)
The pearl of great price
When we have a true picture of God's calling for us, we will put up with any suffering for it. God is the pearl of great price that we will sacrifice all for.
