“The kingdom of God cometh not with observation… Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” — Luke 17:20-21
Jesus’ words in this passage are as radical today as they were when first spoken. The Pharisees had asked when the kingdom of God would come, expecting a visible, external transformation—perhaps the overthrow of Rome, a powerful new kingdom rising to replace the old. But Jesus’ response turns expectation upside down:
The kingdom of God is not something to be observed from the outside. It is something already present. It is something within.
This changes everything. If the kingdom is not something we wait for but something we wake up to, then how do we live as people of the kingdom today?
A Kingdom Not of This World
Many have misunderstood Jesus’ words to mean that the kingdom of God is purely spiritual—something disconnected from the world, hidden in the realm of the soul. But that is not what Jesus taught. His message was both deeply inward and radically outward. The kingdom begins within, but it is not meant to stay there—it transforms how we see, how we live, and how we engage with the world.
The Kingdom Is Already, But Not Yet
Jesus’ teachings often reflect a paradox:
- The kingdom is here now, but it is still unfolding.
- It is something to enter, yet also something to reveal.
- It is within us, yet also among us.
Throughout history, many have tried to force the kingdom into an external form—whether through political power, religious systems, or utopian ideals. But Jesus resists all attempts to reduce the kingdom to a human-made structure. Instead, He teaches that it is like a seed (Mark 4:30-32), something that grows quietly, almost imperceptibly, yet transforms everything in its time.
The Celtic Christian tradition embraced this vision. They saw the kingdom woven through creation, present in the rhythms of life, in community, in hospitality, and in the sacred thin places where heaven and earth feel close. They understood that the kingdom is not waiting at the end of time but breaking through now, in moments of grace, justice, and love.
How Do We Live the Kingdom?
If the kingdom is not something we wait for but something we awaken to, then our task is clear: to live it now. But what does that mean in practice?
1. Awakening to the Kingdom Within
“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10
Jesus invites us to see differently. To recognize that the divine presence is already here, already moving in our lives. But to see it, we must learn to stop, to listen, to become present.
The world pulls us outward, into distractions, worries, and ambitions. But the kingdom is not found in chasing after more. It is found in returning to what is already here.
Ways to awaken to the kingdom:
- Practice silence and stillness—not as an escape, but as a way to hear what is already speaking within.
- Pay attention to the sacred in the ordinary—the laughter of a child, the kindness of a stranger, the wind moving through trees.
- Let go of the need to control—trust that God is working, even when you do not see it.
2. Embodying the Kingdom in How We Live
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.” — Matthew 5:14
If the kingdom is within us, then we are called to reflect it outward.
The kingdom is not an idea—it is a way of life. It is seen wherever love overcomes fear, where justice replaces oppression, where peace stands against violence.
This is why Jesus’ kingdom message was so disruptive. It is not a call to believe something different but to live something different.
Ways to embody the kingdom:
- Live with radical generosity—give not just from abundance, but from faith.
- Offer hospitality—not just to those who are easy to love, but to those who are overlooked.
- Work for justice—stand for truth, even when it is uncomfortable.
The Celtic saints understood this deeply. St. Brigid of Kildare, for example, was known for her extravagant hospitality—she would give away her last possession to someone in need, believing that generosity itself created abundance. In her way of life, the kingdom was not a theory; it was something lived, breathed, and shared.
3. Letting Go of the Old to Step into the New
“Remember Lot’s wife.” — Luke 17:32
Jesus’ warning about Lot’s wife in this passage is striking. She looked back when she was called to move forward—and in doing so, she was left behind.
This is not about punishment. It is about attachment.
The kingdom requires us to let go—of what no longer serves us, of old patterns, of the desire to cling to certainty and control. We cannot step fully into the kingdom while still trying to hold onto the world we were meant to leave behind.
This may be the hardest part. Transformation is both beautiful and unsettling. It means stepping into the unknown, trusting in what we cannot yet see.
But this is where faith is most alive.
What do you need to let go of to step more fully into God’s kingdom?
The Kingdom Is Now: A Call to Step Forward
Jesus’ words in Luke 17 are not just theological ideas. They are an invitation to live differently.
The kingdom is not something to wait for.
It is not something to build by force.
It is something to recognize, to step into, and to reveal in the way we live.
Each of us is called to carry the light of the kingdom—to bring it into our families, our communities, and the spaces we inhabit. And in doing so, we do not just hope for God’s presence in the world.
We become that presence.
A Prayer for Living the Kingdom Now
Lord,
Help me to awaken fully to Your kingdom within me.
May I live with trust, not waiting for an external sign,
But knowing that You are already at work in my heart.
Let me walk forward without fear,
Leaving behind what no longer serves Your calling in me.
May I see the world through the eyes of Your kingdom,
And help others awaken to its presence in their lives.
Amen.
Reflection
What does it mean for you to live the kingdom now?
What shifts in perception or action might help you step more fully into its reality?
Let’s explore this together. 🌿✨
Ancient Whispers 
Leave a comment