Is not Will Be

I am sometimes accused of being too idealistic. This surprises me because I worry about being overly cynical. (I tell people that I’m not as cynical as I could be, but I’m trying.) I worry that my cynicism is overtaking my idealism.

I’m told that socialism might work in an ideal world, but…

I’m told that pacifism might sound like a good idea, but in the “real world” things don’t work that way…

I’m told that my ideas might work someday, after Jesus returns…

But still (at least for now) I believe, or I want to believe. I believe because Jesus said that the Kingdom of Heaven is…, not the Kingdom of Heaven will be. The kingdom of Heaven “has come near” (Matthew 3:2). In his sermons and parables he told the people what the Kingdom of Heaven IS like – now, not the Kingdom of Heaven will be maybe, someday, perhaps… but IS, and is now.

When people tell me that “the world is what it is” or accuse me of being to idealistic and not living in the “real world,” I want to ask them if perhaps they are living in the wrong world.