The events of last year have created a lot of anxiety for many as the stability of the last half century seems to be unraveling. 2026 looks to continue the uncertainty. Our VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world has led to a BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible one) world.
Can there still be hope for the future? Yes! Because history remains God’s story. This month’s reflections will remind us to look through the lens of God’s Kingdom. This first devotion reminds us of where our focus should be:

IN WORD – Jesus was speaking to a crowd as His disciples stood around Him and listened. “Some standing here” would see the Kingdom of God before their death—implying that others would not, and also implying that we see the Kingdom in fullness only in another realm. But Jesus also told a crowd that the Kingdom of God was among them (or even within them), and that the Kingdom of God was at hand. So if He was demonstrating the Kingdom, yet not all would see it before death, what does it really mean to see the Kingdom?
Perhaps He meant that even though the Kingdom and the King were readily present, only some of them would recognize the reality of this Kingdom. Or maybe He was pointing to the advent of the Spirit on Pentecost and beyond. After all, the Kingdom manifests in a variety of ways at various times—in signs and wonders of prophets and apostles, in healing and deliverance, and in love, peace, and joy. But it is really seen in its glory when we see the King in His glory. And that happened to three who were standing there only a few days later.
Peter, James, and John witnessed the transfiguration of Jesus on the mountain, and He was dazzling. The Kingdom is an altogether different reality from what our eyes normally see. Those who have gotten a glimpse of the risen Jesus have gotten a glimpse of the Kingdom, but the full vision comes when we tangibly enter another realm. The brilliance of the King illuminates everything.
IN DEED – Keep your eyes open for evidence of the Kingdom. If you choose, you can see it all around you. But know that whatever you see, there’s more, and your ability to see centers on your willingness to see Jesus exclusively. All the glory of the Kingdom is wrapped up in Him. The closer to Him you are, the more of the Kingdom you experience. “Once you have tasted flight, you will walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward.” – Leonardo Da Vinci (in “Heaven on Earth” by Chris Tiegreen)

Our focus must remain fixed on Jesus and the outworking of God’s salvation history (Hebrews 12:1). This semester, I’m teaching a new class on how we are to live in a VUCA/BANI world, using the textbook “Biblical Critical Theory” by Christopher Watkin. The book is intended to help us understand how the Bible remains relevant in the 21st century. The class is also designed to teach students how to use AI tools for ministry and mission.
I thought to share with you some fruits of the class. If you want to see the Kingdom in the broken world, watch this short 8-minute NotebookLM video overview summarizing Chapter 22 of Watkin’s book (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KuLnSSjC8ZRe7hrecpbxK1Fuy38VCMKa/) and reflect on the following questions:
1) How does the “now and not yet” concept shape life?
2) What does seeking “the shalom of the city” mean for you today?
3) What is your role to be a bridge to transform the people, place, and community around you?
May the Lord help you better understand and empower your transforming role as an agent of the Kingdom – and give you peace. Have a blessed week! – from Singapore, Pastor Sam