We don’t have to look far to find many bad kings in the world – men whose influence brings much darkness, division, and despair. And certainly it’s good to avoid their shortcomings and sin. But it’s not enough to simply refrain from the bad. To be a good king we must also be intentional about cultivating and bringing the good.
To be sure, we don’t want to be a bully – using our authority to merely push our own agenda without caring for the hearts of those within the realm of our influence. While for some this is subtle and manipulative, for others it’s harsh and demeaning. Either way, we do well not to exercise our authority in this way.
At the same time, neutral is not an option. We’re either advancing God’s kingdom of light, or we’re not. And we cannot settle for merely being not bad.
For instance, of course, there should be no hint of abuse in our homes. And it’s good when we stand against the evil influences trying to sneak in as well. But we’ve not yet faithfully fulfilled our duty as a good king unless we’re also proactively seeking to generate more goodness and life within our realm.
This might be making truth readily available to provide wisdom and discernment, or using our words to bless those within our home. Or it might mean providing meaningful opportunities for growth, or simply remaining actively involved in their life so they know they matter. Bringing art, music, nature, and the like into the home would also be ways to reflect God’s generosity and joy.
Whatever it looks like, we’re actively bringing the presence of the good. And this remains true throughout the realm of our influence. We allow the kingdom of darkness to advance when we do otherwise.
In the end, do more than just avoid the bad. Intentionally cultivate the good to truly be a good king.
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