what is the kingdom of God like?

Suppose you’re sitting on a bus holding a book that has the words Kingdom of God in the title. The person sitting across from you sees the book and says, “The kingdom of God—I’ve always wanted to know what the kingdom of God is.” What would you say? One answer—one you’d be able to share before the bus comes to its next stop—is, “God’s kingdom is where God is recognized as King.” In the prayer Jesus taught us, we pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done” (Matthew 6:10). God’s kingdom is where God’s will is done. How does this truth from the Bible fit with our patterns of communication? 

In any conversation, someone is wearing the crown—it could be you, trying desperately to get your way, or it could be the other person. The truth is, it’s often both who are striving to gain control. The only path to a change of heart is to take off the fake and paltry crown you’ve fashioned for yourself. Your heart changes whenever and wherever you recognize that God is the only rightful wearer of the crown. He is the only King. I’ve found it helpful to visualize myself taking the crown off and praying, “God, you are the only King in the conversation".