The Kingdom of God

John and I are reading through the New Testament this summer, sharing our thoughts with one another, and focusing on seeing scripture through a broad picture of the Lord's purposes. As I was interacting with the Lord over Matt. 16-22, I was impressed that the Kingdom of God is not as an earthly kingdom, with an emphasis on power, but the opposite--the first shall be last, we are to be as a little child, and identification with Christ comes from suffering, not power or glory. Lord, help me to have Your perspective and desire Your glory and to be as a little child in my relationship to You and to others.