Still chuckling about the pentecostal reference, too. I relate on so many levels.

Here are a few:

The Kingdom of God doesn’t have the same rules/values/power structures as the kingdom of the world—what works in 1 place—doesn’t in the other. Different kingdoms—different ways.

Kingdom of the world: “Instant gratification!”
Kingdom of God: “The unhurried & steady work of restoration.”
Different kingdoms—different ways.

Kingdom of the world: “McDonald’s drive- thru!”
Kingdom of God: “Making bread, crushing grapes, & roasting the entire fattened calf…” Different kingdoms—different ways.

Kingdom of the world: “Self indulgent!”
Kingdom of God: “Self-giving”
Different kingdoms—different ways.

Kingdom of the world: “Shortcut! Quick! Easy! Painless!”
Kingdom of God: “Even in the darkest & most difficult valley, He is WITH me.”
Different kingdoms—different ways.

Kingdom of the world: “Hurry! Urgent! Crisis!”
Kingdom of God: “Be still & know that I am God”
Different kingdoms—different ways.

The section below I am quoting really hits me where I am and I see many friends at when we try to “operate as consumers in the kingdom of this world” wanting full results right now — immediately in this fast food culture. Thanks for posting this..

“And this is where we come back to our original quote: “The kingdom of God comes like a long walk home.”

When I pine and strive after the immediate, one-hit fix, I am thinking and operating as the kingdom of this world thinks and operates. I am acting as a consumer: I’ve paid my fee, and I’m entitled to expect the full results, right now! If they aren’t forthcoming, I have every right to be disappointed and frustrated.

This is not the way of God’s kingdom, either as an organic whole or for each of us as individuals. Just as the eschatological realisation of the kingdom takes place over a long horizon, so too the realisation of the kingdom within each one of us is a long process. It is breaking into my heart, but it has not yet fully broken in. It is healing my wounds and casting out my fears, but there is plenty to go at and it’s going to take time. I have begun the journey, but the destination is some way off. The realisation of the kingdom in and through my life is an unfolding journey, not an event or even a series of events.”