I've been thinking (still) about the coming of the Kingdom.  I can't get past the fact that Christians place emphasis on it in the frequently recited Lord's Prayer; yet the only reading I've seen that outlines a new world order along the lines I envision comes from a Native American writer.  He begins his essay with an acknowledgement of these challenging times on planet earth and explains that these days have long been prophesied by indigenous cultures.
    To create a new world of peace and harmony, he maintains all members of the human family must first acknowledge that they are one human family and that by nature mankind is not adversarial.  There is no debating that an end of warfare and the preparation for war will bring peace; but I've found (among those who claim to want peace) a separate belief in an  inherently hostile human spirit.  In other words, they believe there will always be war; because mankind creates war.  This of course, is the sticking point:  How can there be peace on earth if so many believe in the inherent hostility of others?
    This got me thinking about what I am contributing to the discussion.  I don't believe mankind is by nature hostile.  I believe we're all about self-preservation; but just haven't quite figured out how to support the peaceful coexistence of so many.  Of course, it must begin with a means to control greed which is (if not part of mankind's inherent nature) certainly a major cause of injustice.  I think the Kingdom we were born to create is not only harmonious; but incredibly beautiful.  When it manifests, the natural gifts (the bounty of the earth) will flourish in order to sustain all life on earth and man will fulfill his role as facilitator (as opposed to destroyer) of the natural order and cycle of life.
    With my thoughts aligned to the creation of a whole earth, a place where all God's creatures are respected, provided for and nurtured -- I wondered what, if anything, I might be doing that could be counter productive to the outcome I desire.  And it occurred to me that I have spent a great deal of time being angry about corporate greed and environmental degradation, social injustice and racial prejudice.  And I realized that in the world where God's Kingdom has manifested, there will be no place for my anger.
    It may be true (as I believe) that Americans have been duped by their government.  But perhaps the best I can do to help create a better world is to end the rage I have felt over the chicanery, criminality, duplicity and injustice I've witnessed.  To some that might seem like benign acceptance of the world economic and political situation which also seems like the "wrong" answer.  I am certain we must each contribute by committing to the probability of positive change.  How else will there be enough hope in the world?  The hope for better times will itself bring awareness of what must be overcome and perhaps I'll learn to wait with joy.