I went to a Christian conference this week and spent quite a few hours not attending the sessions but just praying. Although lots of encouraging things were happening, I perceived quite a gap between what we all hoped for and what we were experiencing. So I was praying into those things.

Surprisingly, as I interceded through each one of them, I could sense Jesus just thrilled with the event. All of it. Couldn’t stop smiling. Very proud of all the people speaking, leading worship, praying for others, everything. No concerns about it being all set up to focus on the stage and have the majority of us just watching. Not a hint of anything negative. Just a big wide smile of joy the whole time.

I asked him why he’s so happy with where we’re at, when he’s promised so much more. He said: “The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news!” I could instantly feel it. It didn’t matter what I could see with my eyes. The structures were neither helping nor hindering God’s kingdom, as he moved in people’s hearts whether they were in the sessions or out for coffee.

I drove away repeating Mark 1:15 a few dozen times, putting the emphasis on a different word each time (The time has come…., The time has come,…. etc.) and letting the truth of this sink in. When the kingdom of God is upon us, nothing else matters. Everything else pales. Events and conferences are temporary realities. I felt convicted to repent and believe the good news: The kingdom of God is at hand.

Then I attended our local church service. Usually, I have the same kind of struggles there, longing for something more than. But yesterday, I was different. My resting face was a smile. I was thoroughly enjoying everything the people on stage did. So proud of them. So happy for them. No, that’s too specific. I wasn’t actually thinking. Just bursting with happiness the whole time, without trying at all, because I believed the kingdom of God is at hand. Couldn’t stop smiling.