Sojourning #10...we are meant to reign!

We are sojourners here, but we aren't meant to live as mere sight seers.  We have a purpose in this land...and the land has a purpose in us.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands...Psalm 19:1

Even the sky is a beacon; a reminder that this life is a time of preparation for that which is to come...

It is here that we learn to choose good over evil, blessing over cursing, life over death (1).  It is a daily habit we must acquire...the ability to come up against situations, and choose to see His hand, His purpose in it.  Whether it is to teach us to look beyond the surface of circumstances; to love those who act in loveless, challenging ways, or to make our souls pliable in order that they may be fashioned in His image - every encounter becomes an opportunity to allow His purposes a place of expression.  

These are the marks of a righteous judge, one that can faithfully oversee the affairs of his king, the character carved into the hearts of His royal sons and daughters.

And because this world is the place of all these tests - this land of sojourning has its purpose in us...

The trick is to not let this land - the troubles as well as the blessings - rob us of our vision, the truth that we are meant to reign in life; the life here as well as the life to come.  This time here, our lives here, are meant to be lived as a training ground - not as the final destination (2).

We are meant to reign...

We need only to look to the sky to know that this is so...

Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? 

He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. 

Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.

Isaiah 40:26 NIV

  (1) see Deuteronomy 30:15-20.
   (2) 1 Timothy 4:8