The Kingdom of God isn't where you'd expect. It's where Jesus says.
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 5:3–10 (NASB 1995)
(Matthew 5:3–4 — "poor in spirit" and "those who mourn")
ptochos — "completely destitute; empty-handed"
(the Greek word behind "poor in spirit," Matthew 5:3)
"The Kingdom doesn't show up when you have it together. It shows up when you stop pretending that you do."
(Matthew 5:5–6 — "the gentle" and "those who hunger and thirst")
praos — "strength under control; power surrendered"
(the Greek word behind "gentle/meek," Matthew 5:5)
You can't enter the Kingdom with your fists clenched.
(Matthew 5:7–9 — "the merciful," "the pure in heart," "the peacemakers")
Every act of mercy, every honest-hearted moment, every bridge you build — that's the Kingdom moving through you.
(Matthew 5:10 — "those who have been persecuted")
Verses 3 and 10 only: "for theirs IS the kingdom of heaven." — present tense. Every other Beatitude is future tense. The Kingdom is already there.
Following Jesus was never promised to be free. But it was promised to be worth it.
