“Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

—Matthew 6:10

Last week, I attended the 2026 National Religious Broadcasters International Christian Media Convention here in Nashville, Tennessee. I didn’t even know the event was taking place, but I was tipped off by a colleague in Boston. We were texting each other, and he said he was going to be in town for NRB, and it would be great to meet in person.

“What’s NRB?” I texted.

He told me, and I checked out the website. After exploring the site, including the presenters and expo booths, I thought, Wow, this seems like the kind of event I should attend.

That excitement was immediately followed by a feeling of dread.

I’m what’s called an “ambivert”: someone with both introverted and extroverted tendencies. In my case, I’m an introvert with extroverted tendencies. I love my solitude, but I also crave and need social interaction. However, I have a definite threshold for what I refer to as “extroverting,” and once I’ve hit that limit, I need to place myself in solitary confinement and decompress.

While I was excited about the prospect of the NRB, especially meeting my colleague, I knew my time there would likely amount to many hours of me feeling awkward and being resistant to telling people about my book, One Nation Under God: 40 Devotions for Patriotic Women.

I’d almost talked myself out of it (I’ve talked myself out of a lot of networking events over the years…), but at the last minute, I told myself, Stop being ridiculous! Just go! If for no other reason than to meet your friend.

That morning, I prayed with my family and kissed them on their way out the door, as I did every morning. Then, I made myself presentable and drove the short distance to the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center.

The Opryland Resort is a world in and of itself. It covers 172 acres, with nine acres of indoor gardens and atriums. You can even take a gondola tour on a river that winds through it.

I stayed there several years ago, for what I called a “mini mama’s retreat.” On my way back to my hotel room—one of 2,888 in the resort—I got hopelessly lost. Thankfully, a custodian saw me wandering around like a lost sheep and was able to point me in the right direction.

Thus, I entered the resort with trepidation over finding my way.

I sensed I was already on the verge of getting lost when I spotted a kind-looking woman sitting on a bench. I noticed her NRB badge and felt immediate relief.

“Excuse me, can you please tell me how to get to the NRB check-in?” I asked her.

With a big smile, she said, “I’ll do even better than that—I’ll walk you over there.”

“Oh, thank you so much!”

As we passed through the crowd, we spoke about who we were and why we were there. I was firmly convinced that if she hadn’t led me through the throng of people and chaos, I’d probably still be wandering around the resort right now.

I grabbed my badge and after a lovely though all-too-brief meetup with my colleague from Boston, I went to explore the expo center. I didn’t know what to expect, but when I walked into that space, my eyes widened.

The days of conventions with trifold foam boards and basic banners hung up with twine are a thing of the past.

The room was packed with hundreds of exhibitors. Immersive experiences and entire TV and podcasting stages were scattered throughout, with live interviews being conducted. The air buzzed with energy and excitement.

I didn’t even know where to begin, so I figured I’d just start with the first aisle and weave my way up and down each one.

The conversation I’d had with my gracious guide was the first of many with dozens of people. I learned so much about what people are doing to share the Gospel, through all different kinds of media and organizations.

About halfway through the expo center, a thought struck me: Wow, Lord—you are so busy!

Sometimes, I get enclosed in my own little corner of Christendom. Although there’s nothing wrong with that, once in a while, it can be both encouraging and inspiring to witness a broader swath of God’s kingdom.

Luther’s Small Catechism provides this explanation to the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer, “Thy kingdom come” (Matthew 6:10):

What does this mean?

The kingdom of God certainly comes by itself without our prayer, but we pray in this petition that it may come to us also.

How does God’s kingdom come?

God’s kingdom comes when our heavenly Father gives us His Holy Spirit, so that by His grace we believe His holy Word  and lead godly lives here in time and there in eternity.

As I continued walking around and talking to exhibitors, I gave thanks and praise to God for all the incredible work being done—for all of the people, organizations, companies, and media spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ across the globe.

Indeed, God’s kingdom does come by itself. Yet we are blessed to be chosen to serve as His instruments, bearing the light and love of Christ to the lost in our fallen world.

Yours in Christ,

Amanda

xoxo

P.S. You can read all of Luther’s Small Catechism online at https://catechism.cph.org/. I try to read it every couple of years. It’s a wonderfully succinct and clear explanation of Lutheranism.

P.P.S. Is it just me, or do some Scriptures compel you to write or speak them in the King James Version (KJV)? For me, the two that immediately come to mind are the Lord’s Prayer and Psalm 23.

Scripture taken from the King James Version. Public Domain Use.