The Map
To navigate our way along this second trek we will be guided by the following key text, image, themes and prayer.
Key Verses for Trek #2 – Matthew 6:25-34, and 13:44
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, “what shall we eat?” or “what shall we drink?” or “what shall we wear?” For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Matthew 6:33
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, when a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” Matthew 13:44
Guiding Image for Trek #2 – The Empty Throne
You may be hard pressed to imagine the idea of an empty throne, but most of us have seen enough movies about castles and kings that we can create an image in our mind of what it means to sit on a throne as ruler over a kingdom. On this trek we will be talking about how we build for ourselves our own little personal kingdoms over which we like to play the lord. In that personal kingdom there is a throne that we occupy whenever we try to control the world around us. The image I want you to have in your mind during this trek is seeing that throne sitting empty, vacated. It symbolizes that you have stepped off the throne and walked away. It’s a visual reminder of what it means to give up power, control, and the desire to play the lord over the people and circumstances in your life.
As you go through this study and work through the meditations for this second trek, keep that empty throne image in your mind. For it is only when we willingly vacate the place of authority in our own life that we can fully embrace the life God has for us as his free and faithful stewards.
Main Theme for Trek #2 – When we give up control and seek first God’s kingdom we will know the freedom and joy of a one kingdom steward
Prayer for Trek #2
Dear Lord, help me to take this second key and unlock this very heavy chain of control that I wear. It is such a burden to me, yet letting this chain fall away is so hard. Free me from my need to rule over my own little kingdom. Give me strength to step off my throne. I want to leave it, to walk away and not return. I know the bondage, the fear, the stress and the anxiety that comes from playing the lord of my life. I am ready to walk away, to submit everything back to you. Lord, I proclaim you as the Lord of my life, all of it. I hold nothing back, nothing back. I cannot do this on my own, so I pray for the power of your Holy Spirit to overwhelm my spirit. Give me the strength and courage to be a one-kingdom person. I let my life go, Lord. Take it, it is yours. I am yours. Let me feel these chains fall, and set me free. In Jesus’ name, Amen.