Paul says, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:6)
Seated with Jesus in the heavenly realms! Take your seat and look down upon our world. You will see all sorts of God things going on, and you will love and appreciate them. You will give thanks for them. You will be encouraged.
Failing to keep that Kingdom vision can make us very self-focused, sometimes even discouraged. We judge what God is doing from our limited point of view. If “our” ministry is thriving, growing, and prosperous, then we could begin to lean toward pride.
Seeing the Kingdom from below tends to divide us. We become too absorbed in our own lives and ministries, and often care too little about what others are doing.
Seeing the Kingdom from above unites us. We see and appreciate others and how God is using them. We see that they are needed part of us.
Keeping the Kingdom vision from the heavenly realm humbles us. We appreciate the role to which others are called and are grateful for them. They augment us. We are on the same team. We want to know these other partners and encourage them.
Remember to stay seated in that heavenly realm so that you will appreciate others more, knowing that you are only one part of God’s Kingdom equation.
Keep the Kingdom view!