Imagining the Kingdom of God

In an essay in The New York Times, Martin P. Seligman and John Tierney claim that what makes humans wise is that we contemplate the future. Evidence shows that our brains consider the past and present valuable only as sources of information that can help us see and shape the future.

How, then, do the parting words of Jesus—that he is going to prepare a place for us—help us see and shape the future? If we truly believe that “surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever (Ps 23:6),” how will that affect our behavior? Perhaps we will be more likely to see goodness and mercy at work in our lives if we are on the lookout for it. In addition, perhaps we will anticipate the need to be a good guest in God’s house and thus will practice picking up our dirty socks, pitching in to help with chores, and expressing gratitude now—and by doing so, help create heaven on earth!

When we celebrate Pentecost this year, let us invite the Advocate, who is always with us, to sharpen our imagination so we can envision the kingdom of God—a place of abundance, peace, and unity—and then help it unfold through our attitudes and actions. Let us be dreamers together in the Body of Christ.