The Kingdom of Heaven
Written by Liz Kazandzhy while serving a mission in Ukraine
The kingdom of heaven is like a pearl of great price
To a merchant man seeking such treasure,
Who, when he discovered its matchless beauty,
Went and sold all he had with pleasure.
From his home he collected his rubies;
From his shop, all his silver and gold;
From his yard, all the gems he had buried;
Now all with intent to be sold.
He went to his places of hiding
Where diamonds had laid for so long.
He remembered his favorite topaz—
So golden, translucent, and strong.
He gathered them all for the selling,
For he knew it would cost all he had.
Some who saw watched him with wonder
While others were sure he was mad.
Was it hard? Oh you can't imagine
The war that was waged in his soul!
But with every doubt he remembered
The image of one priceless pearl.
And when all was gathered and ready,
He went to the market to trade.
"All that you have in exchange for the pearl"—
With pleasure the bargain was made.
The kingdom of heaven is like the worth of a soul
To a missionary seeking to serve,
Who, when he discovered the grace of the Lord,
Put his life for two years on reserve.
At home he left friends and his family,
Took leave from employment and school.
He put away favorite hobbies,
All to become the Lord's tool.
While serving, he discovered his weakness,
Habits he'd held to for years,
Traits not entirely Christlike,
Like pride and doubt and fears.
He cast them off each one by one,
For he knew the Lord needed his all.
Many admired his service
While others thought he was a fool.
Was it hard? Oh how you can't imagine
The war that was waged in his soul!
But always the image he kept in his mind:
A child of God, saved and whole.
And when he had finished his mission,
He went to the Lord and heard,
"All of your might in exchange for your soul."
"But wait," he thought, "what was that word?
My own soul I never considered;
It was not for myself that I gave
My heart and my might, my mind and my strength,
So why is it I have been saved?"
And thus he discovered the secret,
The irony of this great labor:
You thrust in your sickle for others
Yet bring to yourself God's favor.
In teaching, you're filled with His knowledge;
In serving, you're filled with His love;
In daily fulfilling His work and His glory,
You're filled with His power from above.
Oh, the kingdom of heaven, what an honor to build
While the God of that kingdom builds you!
"All that I have in exchange for your will"—
Thus He blesses the faithful and true.
Reflection Questions
- How have you noticed God building you as you've striven to build His kingdom?
- In what ways have you been blessed by your sacrifices?
- What are some things you could "cast off" from your life right now in order to be closer to Heavenly Father and the Savior?
