Cultivating a Kingdom-Minded Home
As we enter a new year full of possibilities, let us strive to make it eternally meaningful! Instead of just trying to survive the day-to-day chaos, or making big resolutions that can often be more self-focused than anything else; why not take this opportunity, this new year, to cultivate a home focused on building God's kingdom? I want to challenge you this year, as I also challenge myself, to make this year one of truly cultivating a Kingdom-minded home.
What is a Kingdom-minded home?
A Kingdom-minded home is one where God is in the center of it all. God is a God of order. When things are out of order, chaos is present and distraction is inevitable. When God is not at the center of our everyday life, it's hard not to find ourselves living for the world, both in material goals and daily demands. We tend to aim for things that have no eternal impact. However, when we pursue a Kingdom-minded home, we surround our goals, agendas, family, careers, finances, and desires around what matters most, bringing glory to God.
A Kingdom-minded home is a home in pursuit of leaving a spiritual legacy for the next generations. It's a home that realizes nothing in this world belongs to us, including our children. Everything belongs to God, and the greatest thing we can do in our time on this earth is to know God more and to make Him known. This starts in our personal walk with Christ and in how we lead our home. And what's also great about building a Kingdom-minded home is that it impacts more than just your home. It overflows into the lives of others we come across!
So how do we begin cultivating a Kingdom-focused home? Here are five practical ways to start today.
1. Spend time in prayer every day
One of the most powerful ways to steward our homes for the Kingdom is through prayer. During the craziness of life, it can be easy to forget to take time to pray, yet it is the most powerful weapon we can use to make it through this life.
Prayer is our direct line to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. It's our direct line to the Author and Creator of this world. When we pray, we have an opportunity to invite Him into our home and our lives, to ask for wisdom and guidance in how to lead our family well, and to worship and draw nearer to Him daily.
While personal prayer is an integral part of spiritual growth, praying together as a family has many benefits. You can strengthen relationships with God and each other while learning how to share your hearts in reverence before Him. Inviting the Lord into your home creates opportunities for faith-building conversations between spouses or parents and kids. It creates a, "No matter what, God comes first." understanding, and you can never go wrong with that!
Tips:
- Wake up early and spend time alone in prayer. If you pray at night, don't do it laying in bed. Sit up, or kneel beside the bed.
- Pray with your spouse before either leaves the house for the day, or before the day gets going.
- Pray with your kids. We pray together before bed each night.
2. Build habits as a family that honors God.
Stewarding your home for the kingdom of God is all about making room in daily routines and creating habits that honor Him. Establishing structures like regular prayer, Bible reading, discussing faith with children, enjoying Christian music together or even just carving out quiet time gives us a chance to invite God into our lives and focus on things eternal. It can also be an opportunity to strengthen family relationships by connecting over areas of shared interest too!
Making intentional decisions to honor and glorify God can often be lost in the hustle and bustle of life. Taking regular moments, even if it's just as you're winding down for bed - to reflect on how we are stewarding our homes and living out what matters most is a great way to keep focused on Christ while reminding ourselves why He has called us here.
3. Walk as wise
When we rely on the world's values rather than those found in Scripture, our spiritual journey is sure to be stifled. Steer your path by digging into God's Word for lasting success and consistency!
Ephesians 5 gives us two great ways to be consistent in our Christian walk, which is sure to cultivate a Kingdom-minded home when we apply these. "Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk - not as unwise people but as wise - making the most of time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16. I find it interesting that it says the days are "evil", instead of "short" or even the days "go by quickly". Rather, it says the days are evil. If the days are evil, which we see they are, how can we be successful at staying the course in our Christian walk and in raising our family?
If you notice it says to walk as wise people. I love this definition of walk: to move at a regular pace by lifting and setting down each foot in turn, never having both feet off the ground at once. We should always have one foot grounded, while the other is taking the next step forward toward growth and understanding so that we can be wise people.
We need wisdom to understand what the will of God is for us each day, so that together, under Christ's leadership, we can build a Kingdom-minded home in an ungodly culture! The great news is that the Bible repeatedly tells us to ask for wisdom and it will be given to us. When was the last time asked God for wisdom?
4. Make the most of our time
God has given us the precious gift of time; it is our job to use it wisely. To fulfill His will, we need to ask ourselves where and how we're spending this invaluable resource in terms of achieving what He's called us to do on Earth – or risk missing out entirely. We want to pray for wisdom and discernment in this area as well.
5. Live out your faith that others may see Christ's love through you
Living out our faith daily is the best way to show others Christ's love. Cultivating a Kingdom-minded home means looking for ways to serve outside, give back, and lead by example. We can do this by volunteering at a local food pantry, volunteering at your church, or simply going out of our way each day to show love and kindness through our actions. When we live out our faith daily, it serves as a reminder that what matters most in life is glorifying God - no matter if we're in the comfort of our own homes or outside serving those in need. This world is in need hope. When we cultivate a God-centered home, that will flow right out the door and into the lives of others. There is just nothing like watching your kids be a light to others in a dark world. All glory to God! Let's strive to be active examples of His love so that those around us may see it in us!
Let's embrace the challenge of cultivating our home for God's Kingdom this year, and make every moment count! No seed planted in the hearts of your children will ever go to waste!
If you accept this challenge with me this year, drop a comment. Let me know what you're most looking forward to, or even which of these may be a struggle for you. We are better together, and I'm here for you!
I would love to stay connected with you. We are called to do this life together, and I'm all in for it!
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