It was one of those Sundays when the pastor was giddy. The scripture was all about the kingdom of heaven; “The kingdom of heaven is like…” The pastor added her own idea. The kingdom of God is like glitter dust.
Glitter dust is like glitter, but finer. It is impossible to clean up. It sticks to everything.
The pastor on that Sunday had filled her hand with glitter dust. Part way through the sermon she threw her hand up, scattering glitter dust everywhere: the pulpit, the floor, the first row of people, part of the altar rail, the carpet under the rail. It was all over her hands.
Later, as she came down to share the peace, some received hand shakes and others hugs – their were more hands and people with glitter dust on them; others received hugs. As the peace was shared the glitter dust spread to people and pews.
The glitter dust was to represent letting God’s love and grace flow through us, and when we do then God’s kingdom spreads. As the kingdom spreads, it sticks, because it touches people’s hearts.
It was a really long time before the church people forgot about the kingdom of God, because glitter dust – God’s kingdom, followed them everywhere.