It was amazing to see people sharing their Spotify Wrapped, showcasing their most-listened-to music, podcasts, and the time spent on the platform. For many, it reflected their dedication and consistency. But wait! Have you heard of the Kingdom Wrapped? Or do you think it exists?
Let’s talk about the Kingdom Wrapped, where God Himself shows us the time we’ve spent with Him. With only two days to the end of the year, we are reminded that the year 2024 is coming to an end, and God willing, 2025 is just around the corner.
Back to Kingdom Wrapped! Are you comfortable sharing how much time you genuinely connected with God this year? What was your most-read book of the Bible? How much time did you spend serving God at church?
The end of the year is the best time for reflection. Consider this:
Deuteronomy 6:5 – “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
This scripture reminds us to make everything we do for the glory of God. Our strength—what we use to engage in daily activities—should also glorify Him. Loving God with all our strength means orienting our daily activities towards Christ. In short, the content we consume daily should glorify God without compromise.
Paul gives us an important reminder:
Romans 12:1-2 – “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will.”
Our bodies include our ears, eyes, mouth, and all other parts. In the Old Testament, offering a sacrifice involved killing an animal. Offering our bodies as living sacrifices means killing our bodily desires so we can live for Christ.
Back to Kingdom Wrapped: Did the things you heard, said, or saw this year bring you closer to Christ, or did they make you fall short of His glory? A friend once shared during an executive meeting that before watching something, she would ask herself: “Would I watch this movie or show with Christ sitting beside me as my best friend?” This question challenges us to maintain the presence of God in every moment. God is faithful and always shows up when we genuinely seek Him.
So, can you confidently say you would watch, listen to, or say the things you did this year if Christ were physically with you?
Let’s also reflect on our photo galleries. Were our photos a compromise to Christ’s love for us? Did we take or receive photos/videos that satisfied bodily desires but dishonored God? What about our playlists, our mode of dressing, or our character? These are but a few areas to consider.
Instead of the popular saying, “Mwache alie ndiyo imtoke” (let them cry to release the pain), let’s embrace, “Mwache aombe ndiyo imtoke” (let them pray to release the pain). Prayer helps us cast our burdens onto Christ. Tears without Christ to wipe them away will only continue to flow as the pain deepens, leading to depression and doubts.
Wrapping it up: What matters most is our relationship with God. Our daily walk should lead us closer to Christ. Compromise draws us away from Him and towards the world. So as we reflect, let’s ask ourselves: Are we standing with Christ, or are we standing alone?
Lennox Kahati