WHOSE KINGDOM ARE YOU BUILDING?

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Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty;
for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all. 1 Chronicles 29:11

A new Zulu king was proclaimed three days ago. This, and the bitter rivalry for succession to the throne, has been big news in the country of South Africa where the Zulus are still a powerful force. Here are links to just a couple of the many articles on the topic if you are interested: 

https://www.africanews.com/2021/05/08/south-africa-royal-scandal-new-zulu-king-s-claim-disputed//

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/28/south-africas-zulu-nation-is-riveted-by-royal-succession-drama-its-about-more-than-who-takes-throne/

Succession there is complicated in part because there are usually multiple wives involved, and multiple children from these wives. The ugliness of the past month or so has included accusations of poisoning, lies, and coverups within the huge extended family. Though there is much speculation, we can only guess as to the motivation in all these machinations. Perhaps it’s greed for more wealth, appetite for more power, or lust for more prestige. Maybe, or maybe not, those fighting for control also truly care for their people. It is a sordid tale, and it’s easy to get caught up in disgust for such base scheming and selfish ambition. I’m completely aware that it’s not my place to judge.

Rather, I must ask myself, what kingdom am I fighting for? How about you? Are you striving to build a happy family and home life? Or maybe contending for that promotion at work? Are you waging war for some worthy cause? Maybe you are aiming for retirement and dreaming of idle vacation days in exotic locales, or obtaining that dream home. Are you struggling just to make it from paycheck to paycheck, or aiming for an educational degree? Possibly you’re battling to keep your marriage together, or combatting cancer in your body or the body of a loved one. Perhaps, like me, a beloved ministry or cause consumes much of your passion. None of these things in and of itself is bad, just as being a leader over a nation is not bad. But, in my case, God has to keep reminding me that it is HIS kingdom in my heart and in my life that’s important, and nothing else. Whatever I pursue in this life He has given me, may it ultimately build HIS kingdom and not my own!



 

 

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