A Kingdom of God ?

Sometimes, I have to walk the last mile to Helder’s cabin. A four-wheel drive vehicle with good clearance to clear the rocks is necessary in the best conditions. After a rain, the mud discourages all but feet. I keep a backpack in the truck for walking in when I need to for carrying small presents, ready to go when I visit. I cannot tell what the weather may be at his place. I live at 4,000’, and he lives at 9,000’.

This morning, I note a fresh kill near the turnoff to the cabin. Bear or Lion, likely, so I am attended on my walk with a reasonable note of caution. Coyotes and Ravens are picking the bones. I am vigilant and make sufficient noise. The thing a person must not do is surprise a Bear with a kill or a cub, for that matter. When I am in the wilderness, I know I am being kept track of by the other residents in the same way they know the whereabouts of each other.

Humans were residents in good standing of this good creation at one point in our evolution when our fellow residents could trust us to fulfill our created purpose. Now, we are an invasive species. We lost faith when we changed our motive from equality with all things—with the mandate to care for and protect one another—to power over all things to satisfy our lust.

I head East and take the shortcut to Helders’ cabin. As the Crow, or in this case, Raven (I have not seen a crow West of the continental divide in Colorado), flies. The road winds its way of necessity, avoiding rocks, trees, and marshes in order to get through the cattle gate, the long way around. The shadows from the Spruce trees are laying down long shadows pointing at me across the meadows of Scarlet Ghia, Indian Paintbrush, and Mules’ Ears since it is still early morning.

Helder extends a blue enameled tin cup of fresh roasted and hand-ground coffee to me before I can get my backpack off. “Oh, good, you brought elephant ears”!

Both comfortably munching and sipping, Passerby says, Helder, You don’t believe the church is what Rabbi Jesus meant when he spoke of the ‘Kingdom of God’ right here and now. So…how did Christians miss it? Did it ever exist? What should it be like, and is it possible for us to experience it?