Why Seek His Kingdom Anyhow? c. 2006 by Lesley Barker

One night in May 1973 I put aside my cluster of nuanced, logical, and deeply held objections to faith long enough to draw near to God. Instantly, I knew His presence and His friendship. So, I set my course so that I would be with Him always even though it meant that I risked everything familiar about my identity, my world-view, my friendships, and my future plans. Indeed, it did and continues to cost everything for the sake of the reward which is incalculable- albeit sometimes invisible and intangible. Nevertheless, I continue to gamble that God is the greatest and only foundation for life and that His Kingdom will extend with Glory and Power and Absolute Pre-eminence visibly and tangibly throughout the whole earth. I continue to make my choices so that I seek that Kingdom’s extension and growth no matter the immediate consequences to my circumstances. It has taken 33 years of this search to allow the reign of King Jesus to dominate a mere portion of my heart and mind because of the extent to which I became co-dependent with and in bondage to philosophies and fears that assert lack, doom, and the need for self-fulfillment and that obstruct the reign of grace, truth, righteousness, peace, and love. I shall continue to prioritize His Kingdom- not because of the promise of houses, land, and relationships here and later; but because it is the only way I have found to walk free and disentangled from the hindrances that make progress towards meaning and truth possible. When His throne is established in the earth I shall be welcomed in the throne room. Crowned, robed, palm branch in my hands, I will throw my crown down at His feet and stand with the crowd of intimates acclaiming Him Lord forever. Praising Him!