What Are You Doing to Build the Kingdom?

Wes died too young when he died earlier this year after being hit by a car on the streets of New York City      While some might not consider 27 years old young, it was way too young to have life end.      I never met Wes, but I wish I had.  I became familiar with him a few months ago when he was nominated posthumously  to be the “outstanding young alumnus” for my alma mater, Methodist University in Fayetteville.    I serve on the Awards Committee for the board of directors of the Methodist University Alumni Association.       At the time of his death, Wes was a golfing pro at a country club in New Jersey.  He was such a great golfing instructor that Golf Digest named him early this year one of the best under 40 years of age.

After his death, they placed a small monument near the practice tees of Plainfield Country Club to remember Wes.  On the monument, they placed a question that Wes asked himself and asked others every day:  “What are you doing today to build the kingdom?”     Wes was not talking about his own kingdom or even the kingdom of golf.  No, Wes was talking about the kingdom of God. 

What are you doing today to build the kingdom?      Every week in worship, we pray a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples.  In that prayer, we say,  “Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done….”  What are you and I doing today to bring the kingdom of God into our world and into our hearts?     That is a question that a 27 year old man named Wes asked himself on the golf links and in his life.  I think it is a good question for you and I to ponder daily too.  Have a good week.-  Pastor Randy Wall 

Prayer:   Lord God,  I thank you for the lessons of life that we learn on the golf course and in other places.  I thank you that through grace you allow me to be a part of your kingdom.  Help me day by day to so live that your kingdom might be seen and known in this world;   through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.