Most of us know the “fight or flight” response. In danger, some swing; others sprint. If we’re honest, the church can fall into the same extremes. We either come out swinging at a broken world—or we quietly check out and wait for Jesus to return. Neither looks much like Jesus.

Scripture shows us a third way.

The Third Way: Fill

From the first pages of the Bible, God gives a surprising assignment: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28). After the flood, He repeats it to Noah (Genesis 9:1). And when Jesus rises from the dead, He sends His disciples with a similar charge: “Go and make disciples of all nations.” (Matthew 28:18–20).

Not fight. Not flight. Fill.

Fill the world with the presence, goodness, and ways of God—until “on earth as it is in heaven” is more than a line we pray. It’s a life we live.

Pray It. Live It. (Matthew 6:9–13)

Jesus teaches us to pray:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9–10)

This prayer is not a spiritual escape plan; it’s a daily mission order. We’re asking God to align our street, our workplace, our kitchen table with heaven’s reality—and we’re volunteering to be part of the answer.

How Heaven Comes Down

The story of Scripture is not people climbing to God; it’s God coming to us.

• God walks with Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:8).
• God comes down to rescue Israel (Exodus 3:7–8).
• God dwells among His people in tabernacle and temple (Exodus 40:34–38; 1 Kings 8:10–11).
• God becomes flesh—Jesus, Emmanuel—and lives among us (John 1:14).
• After Jesus ascends, the Holy Spirit fills believers so God’s presence goes wherever we go (Acts 1–2).
• And the story ends not with us escaping upward, but with God making His home with His people (Revelation 21:3–5).

Heaven meets earth—then heaven keeps meeting earth—through Jesus and His Spirit-filled church.

Jesus: The Bridge Between Heaven and Earth

At the heart of the gospel is this truth: we could never climb our way up to God. The story of Scripture shows again and again that restoration always begins with heaven coming down.

The clearest picture of this is Jesus Himself. On the cross, He hung between heaven and earth—literally bridging the gap we could never cross. Because of His sacrifice and resurrection, forgiveness and new life are possible.

Jesus doesn’t just open the door to heaven someday; He brings heaven into our lives here and now. His Spirit lives in us, empowering us to carry God’s presence into ordinary spaces.

What “Fill” Looks Like (Practically)

If “fight” looks like hostility and “flight” looks like complacency, fill looks like faithful presence—steady, Spirit-led love that changes the atmosphere.

• Presence over posturing. Don’t just win arguments; win trust. Show up. Listen. Pray.
  
• Hospitality as mission. Invite a neighbor to dinner. Share stories. Offer prayer. (Luke 14:12–14)
  
• Work as worship. Do your job with integrity, creativity, and compassion. Heaven leaks into spreadsheets and service calls. (Colossians 3:23–24)
  
• Peacemaking. Forgive the person who hurt you. Bless the one who’s hard to love. (Matthew 5:9; Ephesians 4:32)
  
• Small acts, eternal impact. A kind word. A text checking in. A practical need met. The kingdom often arrives in “mustard seed” moments (Matthew 13:31–32).

Why We Don’t Settle for Fight or Flight

• Fight without the Spirit can dehumanize the very people Jesus loves.
  
• Flight excuses inaction and hides the light (Matthew 5:14–16).
  
• Fill honors people, resists darkness, and trusts God to do the deep transforming work.

Takeaway / Next Step

This week, make the Lord’s Prayer your rhythm:

• Pray: “Father, Your kingdom come in Biloxi (or your neighborhood). Your will be done in me—today.”
  
• Act: Choose one simple step of faithful presence—an invitation, a prayer, an apology, a meal, a need met.
  
• Trust: God is already at work. You’re joining Him.

Closing Encouragement

Not fight. Not flight. Fill.

Let’s be people who carry heaven into ordinary places until our coast looks a little more like the kingdom.