God lets us—each of us and all of us—have our way. God’s way is better. But on earth his authority is available, not forced. In order for “thy kingdom come, thy will be done” to be a reality in our lives, we must surrender our little kingdoms—what each of us mostly has a say over—to God’s rule. Surrender requires more than lip service. It requires a transfer of power—from us to God. This transfer usually happens bit by bit over a lifetime. Sometimes we take back territory and must be reminded of the blessing of letting God reign in that area of our lives again. Jesus says we can’t have it both ways—pursue our kingdoms now while reserving a future citizenship in God’s kingdom one day. The kingdom we invest in now through how we direct our thoughts, time, talent, and treasure is the only kingdom we will inherit. A kingdom of Me and Mine. Or a kingdom of Thee and Thine, where all I have belongs to God and is governed by the law of love. Blessed are those who—by circumstance or choice—don’t get their own way. It’s good training! The good life isn’t a life of getting my way. That’s only good for me, and even that only for a moment. The good life is God’s rule. That’s good for all of us, and good forever. There is long-term joy and goodness in putting others first, in love through sacrifice, in sharing sorrows, in putting selfish aims to death. The more I impose my way and get my way, the more the Kingdom of Me grows; it’s an ugly thing. The more I embrace God’s way and don’t get my way, the more God’s Kingdom expands on earth and in me; it’s a beautiful thing. Take my little kingdom and show me how to surrender it, Jesus. Let all my energy, my desire, and my focus go toward abiding with You now and pursuing Your goals now. Amen. | 
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