Right now across my city of Brisbane, tens of thousands of volunteers are out in suburbs helping the thousands that have seen their homes, business and communities, devastated by the recent flooding of the Brisbane River, a one in a hundred year flood. Anna Bligh, Queensland’s Premier, has likened it to a war zone and compared the work needing to get the city and region back to normal, to a post-war reconstruction that will cost billions. It has been said that the economic impact of the flooding on the Australian economy is expected to be bigger than the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the US economy.

My wife and I were out last weekend helping, like so many, total strangers in communities that we rarely if ever visit. The sense of community spirit, good will and practical assistance amidst such total devastation was quite something to beheld. It was deeply moving as it was overwhelming in the magnitude of the carnage that one encountered. News reporters called it “Brisbane’s salvation Saturday”, another, “Sunday muddy Sunday”.

Much is still to be done. The effects of the floods will take months and in many cases years to overcome. However in the coming weeks and months, as people start to feel the deep sense of grief, loss and emotional dislocation, people will need people. As the Christian community we need to do two things; pray for all those affected to have strength to endure, and to be on hand to be the Body of Christ demonstrating in loving and practical ways, God’s touch to lives so traumatized by this disaster.

We also need to pray for those who are engaged in coordinating the relief and rebuilding effort, making the long-term decisions re the cities future, that they be granted the ability to make the right decisions amidst the confusion that ineligibly arises at times like this.

What we see happening through people across our city and region right now, Christian and non-Christian alike, is, the common grace of a loving God at work. In reality, His kingdom characteristic of love, encouragement, service, mercy, compassion and cheerful giving, flowing from person to person, home-to-home, street to street. The one fact that make us all equal; we are all made in the image of a loving God and it’s His nature which is being seen as people reach out to family, neighbours and total strangers who are in need.

People are being motivated by that deep inner sense of goodness and love for others, the true stuff that builds community. I heard a young child’s mother say today, how her daughter said, “Mum, I’m so proud of our community, this is a great place to live.” What a legacy to come out of such a time as this.

Now let me share some kingdom thoughts with you.

There’s not a day that goes by where people do not connect with and move in and out of God's kingdom as it breaks in around them. Therefore we need to observe it, learn to read it, and then find ways to individually connect and collaborate with it in the lives of people and all of creation.

Let me explain what I mean. The kingdom is at work! It is definitely sin stained, fragmented, marred and distorted in the lives and the world of the unredeemed. It is there nevertheless. ‘Really?’ I can almost hear you say. We must never forget that regardless of who they are or what their life is like, they are made in the image of God. (James 3:9) Our commission as disciples of Jesus is to connect with this kingdom reality. We do this by embracing it, engaging with the good of God that you see in the lives of others, seeking to bring the light, truth and love of Jesus into their world in a diversity of ways. In this way, we begin to recognize and then affirm the kingdom at work in the lives of people.

For instance, a woman desiring to be a good mum—that's kingdom. A man wanting to provide for his family—that's kingdom. A student refusing the pressure of drugs—that's kingdom. The employer who shows care for his workers and seeks their good will—that’s kingdom. Someone passionate about the environment, the plight of the poor and disadvantaged: child trafficking or in not exploiting creation for profit—that’s kingdom.

As we discover ways to engage with God’s kingdom at work, in society and creation, to care for and show love to those around us, we are better placed to share the sacrificial love of Jesus.

The kingdom is! (Matthew 13) We are its witnesses. It is both the gospel of Jesus (incarnate) and the gospel about Jesus (evangel).

And as you seek to engage with your inheritance in all of creation, the Holy Spirit brings you more and more into the fullness and richness of the image and nature of Jesus Christ. This is the image that all creation is longing to see burst forth; one that will finally answer the cry of creation, setting it free from bondage and decay and bring it into the ‘glorious freedom of the children of God.’ (Romans 8:21 NIV)At such a time as this, may many encounter the real Jesus and His loving embrace!