There’s one thing about the Holy Ghost. You just never know when he’s gonna make something into a teaching moment. So, a couple of weeks ago, when I was thinking about the Kingdom of God, and praying, “Your kingdom come, O Lord,” the Holy Spirit said something that upended some of my theology. 

“Don’t you mean our kingdom?” 

For a second, I didn’t know what to think. 

“The Bible doesn’t really say, ‘our kingdom,’” I tried to answer, but I knew exactly what he meant. Still the Holy Spirit wanted it to be clear.  

“We are in covenant, and our covenant makes us partners, so it’s your kingdom too.” 

Covenant I understand from being married. My husband and I have everything in common. We’re pulling together in the same direction, and we are committed to the same cause. It’s not my marriage, and it’s not my husband’s marriage. It’s our marriage. 

“I can see that,” I said. “I understand covenant.” 

The Holy Spirit persisted: “I want you to take ownership.” 

Take ownership of the kingdom of God? That just sounded ludicrous. Without a doubt, only God is the kingdom’s CEO. And the only being who did try to usurp God’s ownership is still licking his wounds. No, surely the Holy Spirit meant in the kingdom. That I could see. 

But then I wondered if what he was saying was some sort of rebuke. Hadn’t I already taken ownership in the kingdom? I’m active in church, busy with outreach, consistent in giving tithes and offerings, conscientious about walking in love, and have been for years. It’s not like I’m a spiritual slouch. 

I found myself a little defensive. So, I asked the Holy Spirit what exactly he was talking about. 

The reference in Galatians 4:7 to sons and slaves came to mind. A slave and a son may do the same things for the same lord—be loyal, work hard, be obedient—but only one of them has ownership in the household, and that fact makes all the difference in how the two do things. 

Then I thought about the hireling and shepherd in John 10:11-13. For a while, the hireling and shepherd appear to be the same, doing the same things, until trouble comes. Then the hireling skips town. But the shepherd remains because he owns the sheep and guards them with his life. 

I got the point, and ouch! In areas of my Christian walk, I was acting more like a slave than a son, and a hireling more than a shepherd. I was busy doing my Christianity, but with no real skin in the game. I often prayed for people in front of me but forget about them when I’m by myself. If somebody was particularly cumbersome, I didn’t answer their calls. I gave time and tithe, but not with fervor and excitement for the souls being taken care of and coming into the kingdom.  

I realized my obedience to God came from a place of servitude, not a place of ownership. 

Ownership looks like what the first disciples did. These were not slaves that did their master’s bidding. And they weren’t hirelings that bailed at the first sign of trouble. They were sons, men and women who believed they were coheirs with Christ of God’s kingdom. So, they took hold of the great commission with their whole hearts and ran with it. They wrapped their whole lives around it. They fought for it. Many of them died for it. 

Since that little lesson, I’ve changed my position on a lot of things. I will not be a Christian who clocks out of my duties when I feel like it or backs off when things get tough. I will allow the kingdom business to consume my every thought and guide my every decision. My Father’s kingdom is my kingdom, and I will take responsibility for my part in establishing our kingdom in the earth.  

Will you join me? 

About two years ago, in Dagny’s prayer time, the Lord brought the Amplified version of Psalm 68:11 to her attention: "The Lord gives the word [of power]; the women who bear and publish [the news] are a great host." Then he told her to find those women.
 
Not finding anything local, an online search brought Dagny to NEWIM via the writers' group, where she has found fellowship with other women who love both the written word and the word of God. Only recently has she learned there is so much more to NEWIM than just the writing group, and she looks forward to exploring more and perhaps, one day, meeting some of her NEWIM sisters face to face.

For the last 20 years, Dagny has served the Lord as a co-leader in a youth group, a church writing group, and now a prison ministry group, and is also a volunteer assistant chaplain. She also works as a ghostwriter, has written a children's book called Shine, and curates amazing testimonies on her webpage, Holy Supernatural. She lives in Oklahoma with her amazing husband, her on-fire-for-God missionary roommate, and whoever else God sends their way..