Life in the Kingdom

Once upon a time in a faraway place (yet closer than you may think). There was a kingdom. In this kingdom there existed a large extended family. In this family there was love. Some loved more than others but nevertheless there was love. As any family has them this family also had its share of ups and downs with one another. The family focused on going in the same direction as their Father and then sometimes they split as is the cause of human nature.

Because the family was so big it lost focus on the most important things. First the busy things kept them from seeking the Father. The Father had great plans for them. He wanted them to follow Him. He had a path. He had a plan. But because of all the happenings the Father’s voice became muffled. The Father being a gentle and loving Father would not force His voice so He let his children take the path that they desired. This decision did indeed break His heart for He knew it was not their best.

Over time many members of the family got overlooked. They felt alone and isolated which is ironic since the family was so large. Yet that did not matter. They fell apart from the family and no one was there to retrieve them. They are the missing persons of the family. They are the family members whose pictures you see on the billboards and milk cartons. These break the Fathers heart yet He knows exactly where they are though the family He entrusted them to did not do its job in guarding and keeping them.

Other family members saw some of the problems and became concerned. They took these concerns to the patriarchs. Unfortunately the love of the them had grown too cold. They lost their love for their family. They decided that there are many in the family and the family continues to grow so if you do not like it then just go on and leave. This family does not need you. Yet again the Father sees and the Father weeps. You know my disciples because of their LOVE. Where is the love in the family?

One day a prince in the kingdom was suffering. He had suffered for a very long time. His afflictions were great. Yet though he was so afflicted no one was there to encourage and lift him up. He did not complain. He just quietly served and worked as the Father directed Him. Yet the evil one who seeks to destroy snuck up on him one day at his weakest point. The prince was not guarded partly because the family had failed him. It is not easy to be strong alone. The prince fell. He came back to the patriarchs of the family filled with regret, repentance and shame. Because of his failings he was kicked out of the family. No restoring the prince because the love had grown cold in the kingdom. It was forgotten that the family was to stay united.

Because it was the prince who was kicked out of the kingdom the people were bewildered. Some thought he was on a journey. Others thought perhaps he had found a new family and a new kingdom. Yet questions remained. For now in the darkness remained a family secret. A secret that the patriarchs did not want out. They wanted to protect their kingdom more than they wanted to restore their brother. The Father sees. The Father weeps. Yet it is never too late to step back on the right path. The Father waits.