Kingdom Builders built on people and doing God's will

“Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” Esther 4:13-14 NIV

Let’s be honest. There’s a part of each of us that empathizes with Esther’s plight. She had a difficult start to life, worked hard, listened to good consul, and became Queen. Esther had attendants, comfort, security, and a royal lifestyle to maintain, as long as her identity was concealed. So Esther had to decide this: What was her purpose? Was she created merely to be queen of a pagan nation, or did God orchestrate each step of her life, placing her in a position of influence so that she could save His people?

You may be a doctor, lawyer, police officer, etc. All noble occupations. The trap is letting your job identify who you are. For those of us who are washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are a new creation, and we place our identity in Him alone.

Kingdom Builders Ministries began with a group of people dedicated to praying for God’s will to be done in their community, meeting in homes around the area. Our prayers and the multitudes that have been lifted up before us are being set into motion.

Since those early meetings, we have launched the annual Wood City Music Festival, a one-day free Christian music festival held the second Saturday in August at Veterans Park in Cloquet, with two stages, a children’s play area, a prayer tent and more. We now own and operate the Common Ground coffee shop and venue, offering food, drink, fellowship and a venue for music, comedy, and other events that we hope will bring people together.

Not one of us asked for a coffee shop, a building, or a festival. That would have been our will. We prayed that God’s will would be done on earth as it is in heaven. God told us to create a music festival, and later to find a building. Our mission is to Unify the Body of Christ and equip them to use their gifts. How awesome is it that he desires to partner with us.

We aim to be strong when the storms of life hit all of us and put our faith to the test. The enemy

uses distractions and lies to distort our identity and to doubt God’s goodness. Therefore, we need to be rooted in Truth.

The Bible tells us the following truths:

• God is the creator of all things (Col 1:16).

• Jesus is the only way to our Father the Creator (John 14:6).

• If you identify as a disciple of Christ, you are a new creation (2 Cor 5:17), and are adopted into the family of God (Eph 1:5).

• As his children, we have been called out of this world (1 Peter 2:9-10).

• Each of us has been created for a purpose (Psalms 57:2, Romans 8:28).

You were created on purpose and for a purpose. It is no accident that you flipped to the faith page today. Esther’s identity crisis needed a firm rebuke from her uncle Mordecai. At that moment, she needed to decide who she truly was. That time is now for us as well. Each of us was gifted with talents, that when combined with others within the body of Christ, would advance the Kingdom of God. You, my brother or sister in Christ, were called to testify about the death and resurrection of our savior. We invite you to join us as missionaries in our own backyard. We are children of the most high God and He is calling us to build His kingdom on earth. We were created for such a time as this.

Writer Lee Harris is a board member of Kingdom Builders Ministries. Stop by the Common Ground Coffee Bar and Deli to find out more about Kingdom Builders or email Harris at [email protected].