‘We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes, but we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive His poured-out life and, being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.’ - Elisabeth Elliot
Those who follow Christ live in His upside-down kingdom.
In this kingdom…
…it was the will of the Father to crush the Son (Isaiah 53:10).
…it was for the joy set before Christ that He endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2).
…we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize, but in every way has been tempted as we, yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
…the last will be first, and the first will be last (Matthew 20:16).
…enemies become friends (Romans 5:10).
…you must lose your life to find your life (Matthew 10:39).
…orphans become heirs (Romans 8:17).
…sharing in Christ’s suffering means sharing also in His glory (Romans 8:17).
…we have been loved first (1 John 4:19).
This upside-down kingdom of Christ extends to the world, as His followers live upside-down in the world.
God, forgive our contentment with living in the wrong Kingdom, in the wrong direction. Christ, You have taken the lowest place, although you deserve the highest place. Forgive us for thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought. Turn us upside down in your Kingdom. Amen.
Living,
AB