In-n-out: Not the burger place though

"Doing missions" and "living the kingdom of God" are quite different in my mind. "Doing missions" is more of an act of going on a specified "mission trip" somewhere. By no means does it have to be overseas, or even out of the city, but it's something that is planned out to a certain extent to share the gospel directly or indirectly. "Living the kingdom of God" is an active, everyday thing that goes so much deeper than doing missions. Living the kingdom is to follow the statutes of God and live in accordance to the kingdom. It includes missions, as well as personal transformation and growth. Living the kingdom keeps one on mission everyday. It's not something that is planned, but rather a part of the life you're living. In Roberts' "Transformation: How Glocal Churches Transform Lives and the World," he presents the idea of the kingdom of God coming alive in the believer, through the Holy Spirit, propelling them to living the kingdom of God outwardly. It's a challenging aspect because the kingdom of God is so complex, but, at the same time, simplistic with a direct mission. Understanding the kingdom of God more changes a believer inwardly and is followed by outward change. An outward change that affects every circle in a person's life. We live in a culture in America that is so focused on the outward appearance that the aspect of change from the inside out all but loses it's meaning. Believers take the back seat, while actively watching intently where the Holy Spirit is taking them and opening up to the process. This challenges me because I like to take charge and be in control of things, but to truly live the kingdom, I have to take a step back while seeking God to allow the Spirit to change my heart so I can learn more about God's heart. Knowing God's heart changes the way you live and is something that begins in then goes out.