An Unshakeable Kingdom

"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe; for our God is a consuming fire." Hebrews 12:28-29It's Thanksgiving Day. I'm watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and about to start making the green bean casserole and pound cake that I'll be taking to the second of our three family gatherings later today. My baby girl is home from college. I got to spend yesterday cooking with and sharing an amazing meal with my husband, which makes up for him being on duty for the next 24 hours. I have one son beside me and another I'll squeeze at least ten times when I see him on Friday. I will see, hug, and spend time with my eight parents/in-laws and nearly all my siblings, nieces, and nephews by the time this weekend is over. And I have the very best sister friends in all the world. I have so much to be thankful for. But there is nothing I am more grateful for than being part of God's unshakeable kingdom. There is such peace and comfort in that word--unshakeable. It means that no matter what this world gives me, as good as my life is in this season, I have an assurance of belonging to something greater than all of this. It means that if my Thanksgiving was spent today at home alone in isolation or in the waiting room of an emergency room or at the bedside of a dying family member or working some dead-end job somewhere or even struggling through a painfully dysfunctional family gathering---I have an assurance of belonging to something greater than all of this. I have these three promises of God's kingdom: A permanent place. In God's kingdom, my residence is not temporary. I don't have to worry about title, role, position, or value there. I am never left off the invitation list, overlooked, or made to feel unwelcome. In God's kingdom, I suffer no rejection, no eviction, and no abandonment. I'm never alone and never left out. I BELONG, always, fully, and forever. An eternal family. In God's kingdom, I am part of a forever family, where there is no dysfunction, no resentment, no competition, no hateful words spoken or unspoken, no jealousy, no despair, no impossible expectations to meet, no unforgiveness, no inadequacy, and no failure. No one walks out, abandons, abuses, or neglects. There is simply the fullness of God's Spirit. There is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control--with everyone, all the time. An abundant table. In God's kingdom, the table is always prepared and laid out, with every good thing I will ever need in abundant supply. At God's table, I lack nothing. There is no hunger, no scarcity, and no greed. There is no anxiety about supply or the loss of it. There is no emptiness, no holes to fill, no chasing of things. There is simply enough. There is peace and provision in every moment, in all seasons, for all time. If Hebrews 12:28 tells me that God's kingdom is "unshakeable," that means that none of the things promised above can ever be taken from me. No evil scheme or strategy, no tragic or random event, no mistake or failure, no abuse or rejection...none of these things can shake the reality of my PLACE in God's kingdom, the PEOPLE who are part of my kingdom family, and the PROVISION that is guaranteed to me as a citizen of that kingdom. Is there anything of greater value to give thanks for today?