In MS or of MS

In the World or Of the World. So what exactly does that mean anyhow? Living with MS certainly put me outside the ‘normal’ parameters, and it might be good to explain that statement as it pertains to the sacred understanding.

What did God mean when he says that ‘His kingdom is not here on earth?’ Where else could I possibly live but here on earth, in the world. How can I not be part of it? So does He mean eternity, the afterlife? How does that pay the mortgage?

Yes, two very different worlds, but hear me out. If the Kingdom World is different, then It would stand to reason different laws, rules, precepts, would apply. Gods laws of ‘Love your enemies; leave vengeance to Me; less is more; choose humility and being thankful in all circumstances are not too popular here on earth. But by practicing them anyhow is an attempt to bring heaven to earth. 

So now let me transpose those to some of MS’s rules. They might include some new normals of Urgency (getting your pants down in time); furniture/wall walking; giant buttons; AFO’s (artificial Foot Orthotics) and UTI’s (Urinary Track Infections); and a whole host of other not too-common-standards among the fully abled. To attempt to bring the Kingdom to earth, how do I ‘become thankful in all circumstances’ in that environment?

Again drawing on God’s strength, the only thing required is to trust Him to get the job done in His time, in His way, even though it appears easier to shore up my own resources do it my way, the way I can see forward – which can so easily turn into burnout, fear, anger, violence, and/or depression and does more harm than good. The very opposite of what I desire.

When I’m governed by finite things – sickness, pain, discomfort, pride, ego, intellect, and such, I am defined its its governing laws and I have a harder go of it. But when I attempt to carry out His ideals in my every day conduct of life amongst the trials, I’m embarking on a new course, a new world of love, faith, and truth; which of course are opposite to the laws that govern much of this world. So of course I’m going to stick out like a gopher out of his hole when I try live by those precepts.

Yes, I’m a MSer in the world, but I’m not of the world because I chose to be governed by the infinite things of His Kingdom for my own peace, and everyone else’s. 

Which funny enough is the whole reason God came.