Occasionally my son-in-law Tim Spivey, senior minister for the New Vintage Church in Escondido, CA writes a special blog. He has lots of excellent things to say about leadership, about preaching, and about being church, but recently, this simple reflection of his really touched me. I love the wordplay in the title, not because it is cute, but because it says Truth in fresh way.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Though I’ve read them all many times, I’m still filled with anticipation whenever I read through my Bible and hear any biblical writer (especially Jesus) say, “The Kingdom of God is Like…” I find that phrase unusually exhilarating and I know whatever follows is likely to be crucial Gospel that I need to hear.
I love those words and I found myself reflecting on my week thinking about all the ways I saw God move. Over the past week, I’ve watched the Gospel break out in so many magnificent ways–all in the face of tragedy, sin, ugliness, and despair.
In the midst of all hell breaking loose, the gift of seeing all Kingdom break loose and run over hell is one of a Christian’s greatest joys. I know we aren’t supposed to talk that way–we’re supposed to be civil with our enemies. But, Satan is no ordinary enemy and deserves my coddling about as much as I deserve God’s grace.
So there.
To what shall we compare the Kingdom of God? The Kingdom of God is like:
- The restoration of a teenager who felt the need to experience the far country.
- A broken woman receiving grace and acceptance from God’s people.
- A mom thought dead returning to life (mine).
- A person with a critical spirit confessing it to the one they’ve verbally cut for months. Reconciliation dawning.
- A mom and dad burying their infant amidst tears while God’s people help fulfill Jesus’ blessing upon those who mourn.
- A family provides an entire season’s worth of meat for a family that hasn’t eaten meat in months because they can’t afford it.
- Tears flowing down the cheeks of a worshiper remembering her departed husband as the church sings Chris Tomlin’s, “I Will Rise.”
- A man closed to Christ most of his life opens his first Bible and begins to read the Gospel of John.
Mark's Blog 
Beautiful! I am always grateful to hear of how God´s hand is working in our lives. Thank you for sharing this and for reminding us that His grace is so much more than all satan can throw at us.