I admit it. I fight as hard as I can this time of year, every four years in the United States, not to be absolutely consumed with politics and the election of the President, Vice President, House, Senate, and all the other elections that take place. It’s so easy to get caught up in all the ongoing hype and poll numbers. For years I’ve heard, “This election is the most consequential one of our lifetimes!”
Don’t get me wrong, there are absolutely vital, world-changing things on many ballots. Right now, the U.S. is choosing between socialism/communism and a jerk. So, please, go vote.
However, tomorrow…or whenever it is finally determined…the sun will still rise, children will still be born, people will still leave this world in death.
Most importantly, God, our creator, will still reign supreme. The actions of people will not change His character or love for the world He created.
When I remind myself of that, I also remember that I am in this world for a short time but I’m no longer of it. I was born in this world and then I found my Creator. I changed my citizenship.
Don’t get me wrong. This world still has an effect on me and I would like for things to be the best they can be for all of us. However, at the end of it, I’m still citizen and servant of a different place on assignment from the Father, at the directive of my Brother, the Son, and guided by the Holy Spirit. I’m in the world but not of it any longer.
In some ways it would be easy to just be of this world and disengage and not be in it. I’m an introvert through and through. I’m fine to be off in the corner by myself. To do so, though, would mean I’m not affecting people around me with the love of Jesus. It would mean that I’m living the life according to the fallen standards of this world but trying to avoid things I don’t like just trying to rely on my personal, fallible standards and staying away from the very people that I’m to reach. Of it but not in it. I’m not to just “hole up” and live the hermit’s life, hating the fallen-ness of the world.
Instead, I’m directed, commissioned. I’m told to realize my change in citizenship but still be living the life of an agent/ambassador. I’m to represent the One who saved me and seek those who would also change their citizenship. I’m to be engaging others in the work I do, in the connections I have, in my daily living, in the way I raise my children (and now grandchildren). I’m to walk faithfully through this life serving the Father by loving the creation He made in hopes of drawing them to Him. I’m to be in the world but not of it.
Will you choose to be in this world but not of it?
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