Worldly

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. John 17:14-19

 

Do you belong to this world or another?

 I am not asking which world you physically live in. We all live in this one. I am asking, "Where does your soul/heart reside?"

This does get confusing. I cannot help but be physically in this world. Some days I love it. Some days I hate it. Many days, I am neutral. This is the physical world of birthday parties, humidity, stress, pizza, war, hunger, homelessness, Facebook, happy hour, illness, work and grandchildren. Mostly, I see what I like and avoid what I don't like.

Too many of us, including Christians stop there. We hope a few (How seldom can I pray or worship on Sunday and have it count?) well placed days will cause God to go lightly on us with the tough stuff. It does not work this way no matter how much we protect and wheedle God.

Truth is, we are residences to two worlds. The world Jesus speaks of above is one God is bringing into being through us spiritually. It is a healing world. It is one where pain and grief are overtaken by joy and peace. It is one that is not dependent on our circumstances but one which, in fact, can transcend them.

Will we live in this world God is building? The answer lies in our willingness to marinate in the Truth and only time spent with God will do that.

How much time are you willing to invest in God's reality?