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Field Notes
Books & ResourcesMay 10, 2025

Behind the Book: Why I Wrote Kingdom Living

By Meridith Curtis

Behind the Book: Why I Wrote Kingdom Living

As I reflect on the journey that led to the creation of Kingdom Living: How Your Ordinary Days Become Extraordinary Ministry, I can't help but marvel at how God has been weaving this story through the fabric of my life for so many years. Writing this book wasn't just an act of putting words on paper—it was the culmination of lessons learned, struggles faced, and, most importantly, an invitation to join God in His extraordinary work within the everyday rhythms of life.

A Call to Redefine Ministry

For most of my life, ministry was something I thought only happened in certain "special" settings. I grew up hearing stories of missionaries who gave up everything to serve in far-off lands, pastors leading congregations, and volunteers who devoted hours each week to church programs. These were the models I saw, and I didn't doubt that they were valuable and necessary. But something began stirring in me—a realization that ministry wasn't limited to those defined roles.

It was in the quiet, everyday moments where ministry could truly unfold.

Over the years, I began to understand that our everyday lives, filled with work, family, and community, were a stage for God's Kingdom work. As I walked out my own journey of faith and ministry, I noticed that God was moving in the small, mundane details—whether in the conversations with a neighbor, a moment of prayer during a quiet morning, or in my own struggles and triumphs as a parent, spouse, and friend.

This was the heart of the message I felt called to share through Kingdom Living. Ministry isn't just for the spiritually elite or those who have a "title." It's for everyone—right where we are, in the ordinary, mundane parts of life.

The Burden of Distraction

Another motivation for writing Kingdom Living came out of a personal struggle with distraction. We live in a culture that is constantly vying for our attention—whether it's through social media, work pressures, or the countless ways our lives are connected to the digital world. I found myself falling into the trap of thinking that if I just did more or got better at managing my time, I could create an extraordinary life for God. But in the process, I was losing sight of what truly mattered.

I began to realize that God wasn't asking me to do more but to simplify. I needed to pull back from the distractions and focus on what God had already placed right in front of me. He wanted my ordinary life—my routines, my relationships, my daily tasks—as an offering to Him. And that's when the idea of Kingdom Living really took root in my heart.

The Struggles and Triumphs of a "Normal" Life

I know all too well the struggles of balancing a busy life with the call to ministry. My journey has not been free from hardship. I've experienced moments of burnout, self-doubt, and frustration as I tried to juggle the demands of family, work, and spiritual growth. But through it all, I've also seen God's faithfulness and the way He works even in the midst of our struggles.

This is why I wanted Kingdom Living to be so much more than a devotional or a "how-to" book about ministry. I wanted it to be an honest exploration of what it means to serve God in the "small moments" of life—when we're tired, overwhelmed, or just trying to make it through the day. I wanted it to speak to the ordinary believer who may not feel like they have the skills or time to do something "great" for God, but who is willing to show up and trust God with whatever He asks.

A Personal Invitation

When I think about the message of Kingdom Living, I think about the opportunity we all have to partner with God in His Kingdom work right where we are. I know that each one of us has a unique calling and mission. But I also know that sometimes we need a reminder that our ordinary lives are extraordinary in God's hands.

This book is an invitation to see your everyday life through a different lens. It's a call to embrace the sacredness of your routines, your relationships, and your work. It's a challenge to live out your faith with intentionality, knowing that God sees the small moments and uses them for eternal purposes.

Through Kingdom Living, I hope to offer encouragement, practical steps, and reflections that will help you take that first step toward living a life of purpose in the ordinary. This is not just a book to read—it's a journey to embark on. And as I've experienced, it's a journey that will transform not only your own life but also the world around you.

A Community for Kingdom Living

The journey to release this book has been a deeply personal one, but it's also one that I want to invite you into. This isn't just about me writing down lessons I've learned—it's about creating a community where we can walk together, share our struggles, and encourage one another to live out our faith in every aspect of life.

That's why I'm also excited to share that Kingdom Living is more than just a book—it's the start of a conversation. I invite you to join me on this journey as we discuss how we can make our everyday lives an offering to God, and how we can support one another in living out our Kingdom callings.

Ready to go deeper in living out your faith? MTC Nashville offers disciple-making training and a residency program to help you live with eternal purpose right where God has placed you. Learn more at https://mtc-nashville.com.

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