The Fulfillment of God's Creative Vision

At the 7:30 am service on Easter morning, we read from the book of the prophet Isaiah, specifically Chapter 65, verses 17-25. We heard divine poetry communicating God's intention for all human life and the world that God so loves; from the very beginning. God promises that, even out of the devastation of human sin and disobedience, God is acting right now to complete the beauty that God began in creation long ago. I am moving among you to create a new earth ( a different, life-giving experience of the world), and it is almost here.
In the "kingdom of God," the "new Jerusalem," that is being revealed:
--Everyone will have a good home
--All will have healthy, nourishing food
--The health of every person will be tended to
--Child mortality will be eliminated
--There will be no more poverty
--Seniors will live to the completion of their days without having to worry about their care
--God's provision will be shared by everyone, as God has always intended
--Work will be enjoyable, and everyone's labor will be valuable to the common good.
--There will be no slave labor, enforced servitude, or working one's fingers to the bone for the endless profits of a master.
--All people will live in dignity, with respect.
--No harm will be done to one another.

When we pray in the Lord's Prayer, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," we are praying that God will inspire us to be part of shaping a world like the one described above. What might our contribution(s) be, with God's help, to making God's vision a reality on earth? How will we live, together, towards God's vision? Share some of your thoughts. Be as specific as you can!
On Wednesday night we discussed efforts like Habitat for Humanity, where common people work together so that even those without substantial money and resources can have a good home. We identified unclean water as the greatest source of child mortality in the world, and how, for far less money than is spent on weaponry, people throughout the world can be guaranteed access to clean water. The way is already available. The question is: Will the faith be present to see it through? We talked about the struggle this year over health care planning in the United States. We recognized that, regardless of whether a plan was "Democratic" or "Republican," "conservative" or "liberal," any plan guided by God's vision must include provision for everyone! Take a look again at the principles listed above. What can we do together?
Our Lord Jesus came proclaiming that the kingdom of God is near. His life was a human translation of God's will, a living, breathing, ever-giving expression of God's saving love. From the very beginning of his ministry, he announced good news to the poor, release to captives, recovery of sight to the blind, and the forgiveness of everyone's debts. You heard the story. The forces of power and influence in this world, those who profited from the ways things are, lined up to stop Jesus, to fend off God's loving plan. They used the cross to try to stop him.
But the proclamation of Easter is that no amount of betrayal will kill God's promise. No amount of death will overcome the life of God. No amount of hate will stay God's gracious love. The "former things" will not be allowed to carry God's day. This is the future--by God--and you and I are made to be a part of it!