Faerieland & the Kingdom

The desire of the righteous ends only in good; 

the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;

another withholds what he should give, 

and only suffers want.

Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, 

and one who waters will himself be watered.

{Proverbs 11:23-25}

(photo by Simson Petrol)

The economy of the kingdom is both hauntingly familiar and strangely alien, like that of faerieland.  It's utterly unlike that of the real every-day grown-up world that we know, where you must look out for number one and stockpile food or cash or weapons for doomsday.

Those who belong to the kingdom live differently, with open hearts and open hands.  They give.  They bless.  They bring water and sell grain to those who need it, rather than hoarding it for themselves.  They seek good.  They plan wisely, strategically, to capture souls so that they, too, may experience life and this abundant goodness.

There is a sense that these righteous and wise people live with a joyful freedom, not weighed down by worry of self-importance.  In a world full of grey, flat, miserable people who are constantly looking down, intent only on getting to their destination as quickly as possible, it is the generous, righteous children of God who look up to the stars and remember their Maker, for they will one day stand in His presence.

And they already live in it.