Scholars refer to the time when God’s kingdom is made sight as “the end times.” The end times are the eschatological events centered on Christ’s majestic return as King and Conqueror. Many scholars have described these days with differing explanations but the same endpoint of eternity. A life with God in heaven for Christians because of the imputed righteousness of Christ (see 2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21). Yet I think John best captures the deep longings for this time with his words, It is Jesus who tells us that all these messages are true. He says, ‘Yes, I will come soon!’ Amen! We agree! Come, Lord Jesus (Revelation 22:20 EASY).
Chronic illness and cancer have been my effective, but not easy, teachers of the true value and nature of God’s upside-down kingdom. They’ve shown me the deep and dire need to daily realign my thinking to reflect the truth of Jesus as my hope and my constant, no matter the test results, side effects, or treatments known or yet to come. One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned is that only Jesus is strong enough to hold me close even when it seems everything is eroding in and around me.
I’m slowly learning God’s upside-down kingdom prevails when my world is curtailed. In other words, when I’m kept in check by what my body can do in disease and disability despite what my heart and mind want to do, but can’t.
Scripture tells me God’s upside-down kingdom is best seen in my weakness. That this scarred and without strength body is His chosen vessel for displaying and dispensing glory (see 2 Corinthians 4:7-12). And that truth keeps me willing and writing, teaching and telling, listening and leaning into His glorious grace to see this day and this world as He does. As importantly, that worldview is truly counter-cultural to our societal focus on the beautiful and bright, the strong and sufficient (see 1 Corinthians 1:27).
On that note, do you remember the movie “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade”? This movie’s storyline is about Indy’s quest to find his father and the holy grail. The holy grail was a cup believed to impart immortality to the one who uses it to drink water from the fountain of eternal life. Near the end of the movie, Indy enters a room full of elaborate gold and jeweled goblets with instructions to choose the cup which was the holy grail. He looks over and again at the cups and finally chooses a simple clay cup. His choice seems ridiculous in the world’s mindset. Yet Indy’s choosing the lowly clay cup captures the idea of God’s upside-down kingdom where the capable and confident are considered lesser in comparison to the meek and mild (see Matthew 5:3-5)
For God uses the plain and simple, the powerless and insufficient to carry His Living Water of eternal life to all peoples. It is Christians broken and weak in body, spirit, and/or mind who’ve been given the privilege to be carriers of God’s glory in our jars of clay (2 Corinthians 4:7-12).
God doesn’t call us to go and do all the things.
He calls us to listen and be all He has created (see Ephesians 2:10).
I can’t manufacture abilities or aptitudes, but I must cultivate awareness and attitudes.
God wants a broken and contrite heart in and from me (see Psalm chapter 51). For this kind of heart cultivates attitudes of honoring God with humility and helping others with compassion in an ever-increasing awareness of God as Creator and Provider of our daily bread. The recognition and receiving of the truth God’s in control (and I’m not) is foundational for true kingdom work. God sets, starts, and supplies what’s needed when needed for kingdom work. It’s my privilege to join Him where He’s at work2.
2 For a great resource on the idea of understanding and doing God’s eternal kingdom work is Henry Blackaby and Claude King’s book, Experiencing God. I’ve read and taught this book at least twice and recommend it yet today.
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written by and copyrighted to Beth Madison, Ph.D., 2026.
Soul Scientist 
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