Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will be Done
An estuary is formed when fresh water and salt water join together as a river runs into the ocean. Some estuaries look barren on the surface while others are quite beautiful. In every case underneath the surface there are plants and animals that have learned to adapt to both salt and fresh and thrive in health and beauty. The nourishment from both salt and fresh strengthens and develops them.
Our world is an estuary of various colors, cultures, life styles and faiths and the vast majority of its inhabitants have retreated away from the estuary to live in a singular world of either fresh or salt. They isolate themselves from those in the other water and learn to live in fear of ever having to come in contact with them, in time they see the others as enemies to war against and hate.
The same fear that makes them enemies leads to seeing anyone who is different as a threat even if they are in the same waters, so we begin to isolate ourselves into our own little groups of like colors, cultures and faiths. To maintain the isolation, we spend a great deal of time and efforts proving that our side and our group are superior, and our faith is the only one that is right. Our knowledge is limited to only studying our own little package of truth. The result is the comfort, safety and bliss of ignorance.
There are some brave souls who dare to become estuary people, who dare to mix in the marvelous diversity of our world. They refuse to be isolated into set beliefs and systems but keep open minds and hearts toward all people. They accept and are nourished by every color, every culture, and every faith while feeling no threat to their own faith or culture.
Their world, their intellect, their faith, and their very lives are nourished and strengthened by the colors, and ideas of every person they meet. They become the peacemakers and the hope for our world.
The greatest example of an estuary person is Jesus the Christ. He came into a world boiling with a clash of salt and fresh. Some folks in power others in captivity, ruled by fear and facing terror. He came calling on all people to love their neighbors and their enemies. To give themselves to others. To discover the worth of all persons.
Perhaps that is what heaven is like. An estuary as large as the universe with no one living on the outside and no isolation into groups afraid of all others. Where everyone is like Him because at last, they have seen Him as He is.
And perhaps that is what He was hoping for and challenging us to learn how to be when He prayed. THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.