Scripture

Genesis 1:26-28 

Shape: Covenant & Kingdom Triangles

There are two themes that play out through all of scripture, a sort of double helix of DNA in the Bible: Covenant and Kingdom. Covenant is about two becoming one -- it is all about Relationship. Kingdom is about representing the One who gives us authority and power as we represent Him: -- it is all about Responsibility. In Covenant, we have a Father who gives us our Identity (not because we've earned it, but because he loves us) and calls us his kids. Having received this covenant identity, we can walk confidently in Obedience, not having to earn the love of our Father through good behavior. In Kingdom, our Father has a big job: He's the King of the universe. But since the creation of the world, he's been looking for a covenant peole to represent him. Once we are in covenant with him, he gives us his Authority (a badge) and his Power (a gun) to act on his behalf in this world that he so loved. 

Story

One afternoon, I was sitting in an Executive Conference room at work, waiting to present status on a project to the management team. A brief moment of stress/anxiety came over me, and I found myself wishing I could talk to our hug my wife at that very moment. I wanted her strength and comfort. In the next instant, I recalled the C &K triangles and the relationships between Identity and Authority, and between Obedience and Power. It suddenly became clear to me that I had developed a habit of absorbing strength from my wife...leaning into her when I felt vulnerable instead of leaning into my Father! That instant, I diverted by weakness into prayer and sought strength from Christ's provision instead of from the comfort of my spouse. That moment was a turning point in my relationship with Christ. It came at the right time in our marriage too, as my wife was battling severe anxiety for the first time in her life, and my need to draw strength from her increased her pressure to cope. Jesus began a good work in both of us that day.