In the World? But not of it. So...

So. A question I've been mulling around: What does it mean to stay away from the things of the world? It is quite clear to me that "worldly things", whatever that means, are dangerous. "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life - is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." 1 John 2:15-17

Okay, so what does that look like? Some people focus on being "different from the world" in areas such as how they dress, or what music they listen to. Society dresses so immodestly these days, so it is important as followers of Christ to respect our brothers and sisters and reduce any potential for lust. So they come up with guidelines for modesty such as long skirts for girls, always wear sleeves, no more than 4 fingers of skin under the chin. They might think "People who dress in jeans that are a bit too tight, or listen to the radio, even the ones who call themselves Christians, they just don't understand the full truth yet. They're still too much like the world." Never listen to music that has a beat that makes you want to move around too much, because it might be seductive in some way, so you better stick with traditional hymns and nothing with too much of a beat. In fact, dancing is just altogether too dangerous, so lets not dance at all, just to be on the safe side. Acting these ways is not wrong. In fact, it's good to think about how we dress and what we listen to. But I don't think how one dresses or what one listens to actually makes a person different from the world.

Other Christians I know have different lines. They dress the same way as your average mainstream westerner, and listen to pop songs on the radio. They hang out with friends at the bar, and dance for fun with their friends. They play the typical dating game. But they do disagree with sex before marriage, and with getting drunk. In these things, they are different than the world. Really?

Think about this: In other parts of the world, and amongst sub-cultures here in Calgary people of different backgrounds and religions dress very modestly. They even cover their heads (Muslim women, or Sikh men). Maybe even wear black most of the time, avoiding bright colours so as not to draw too much attention to themselves. One time I talked with some girls at my school who were standing at a booth talking to people about the Muslim faith. I asked them about music, and they basically said that music of any kind is discouraged (although they do chant the Qur'an), because it takes away from the worship of Allah. Think back to the history of Christianity. There was a time when only monks (and only men) could sing in church, and any instrument was considered worldly. Then they progressed to the organ, considering all other instruments too worldly. There are non-Christians who do not support sex before marriage. And many people choose to remain sober.

So what am I getting at? You can never be different from all the false beliefs of the world by how you dress, what you listen to, whether or not you drink, or when you have sex. Why? Because some of the world is overly liberal, and some of the world is overly strict. The world has the spectrum covered. Before Christians even try to figure out where they sit on the spectrum, every shade is already there.

Now what?! You might be asking yourself. Well, I don't know the answers. But I am convinced that being different from the world is not about rules and guidelines. It is about something far more profound.

Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. And the Pharisees said to Him, "Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" But He said to them, "Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him: how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the hight priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?" And He said to them, "The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath." Mark 2:23-28

Catch that? Okay, so Jesus is apparently "disobeying" the law. But he doesn't do that. He is without sin. He was demonstrating that the law was there for man, but that He is Lord over it. And even in the Old Testament, there were times when the law wasn't followed, like with the Kind David example. But it's not that Jesus disapproved of the law.

"Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17

What does Jesus think about this whole "worldly" thing? Well, He did mention it in his prayer for his disciples before He was crucified.

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." John 17:14-17

So it's about something spiritual. Being in the world, but not of it. Protection from the evil one. Sanctification by God's truth.

Get this:

Religious leaders catch this women in the act of adultery. According to God's law, God's holy law, she deserves to be stoned to death. This was not man's idea. This was a command by God. So the Pharisees bring her to Jesus.

they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. John 8:4-6

Now I bet that's exactly what you expected Jesus to do. Probably not. What's going on here? Jesus isn't stuck on legalistic thinking. He knows just what to do, because He loves everyone involved here.

So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman staning in the midst.

When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more." John 8:7-11

Wow. I don' t know exactly how this fits in with learning what it means to be different from the world, but what I do see is Jesus' incredible grace. His incredible forgiveness. His Love that changes peoples' lives.

So the next time you're tempted to judge someone for being too worldly, or you are trying not to be too worldly yourself, maybe ask the question: What does it mean to be in the world but not of it?

Life Thoughts: Stress Struggle

Grrr. My face screws into a look of agony and stress and I grasp my head in my hands with much tension. What to do! What not to do! Today I didn't exercise, so I need to do that with my sister tomorrow. Then I skipped the shower today too, so I could get at other things. So that shouldn't be skipped tomorrow. But I also didn't spend much time at work today, so I need to get some hours in there, but when I have breakfast at 8:30, then if I exercise and have a devotion time and a shower, oh yeah, and then there's laundry, then I will hardly have time to work before lunch time, and then I have to leave in the afternoon to meet someone, and then I still haven't gotten around to organizing those files for that volunteer position for the registered music teachers organization, and then I failed at reaching my goals on my music project this week, when will I do that? and we're leaving for a camping trip this weekend, so maybe Mom would like some help with baking...

Hang on.

In the middle of my mental rant, I realized something. I was feeling stressed because I was wanting to do the impossible. I wanted to get lots of sleep, and accomplish a ton of things before work in the morning, and still have time for that work before lunch. So what's the truth here?

The truth is that I am blessed with a flexible schedule right now. The truth is that I am human, and I have to make choices about how I spend my time. I can't do everything at once, and thus I must admit my weaknesses and live with them. God works well through weaknesses. Never has He told me that I have to exercise, do devotions, laundry, admin work, shower, etc. before 9:30 when I get up at 8:30 and eat Breakfast with the family for 30 minutes first. But He has told me not to worry about tomorrow, and to serve whole-heartedly at whatever I am doing.

So, I will ask Him for wisdom, do my best to decide what should be done when, and not stress about the things that aren't getting done yet. In the big picture, what does it matter if I miss laundry for a few days? Do my best, let go of the rest. And if, in the overall picture of my life, I keep running into this kind of situation, perhaps I have committed to too many things, and I need to back out of some responsibilities so that I can do my best at the ones I have. I'm willing to do that. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to serve you, Jesus, with my life. Thank you for promising me wisdom! I'm excited to see what You'll do in my life tomorrow...

Uninspired Honesty

Right now, I am uninspired. So why am I writing, you may ask? The truth is, I don' t know. What I do know is that I'd like to become more regular at writing here. And I'd like to be very honest as I write here on this blog.

What if I could actually share what I am really struggling with, rejoicing in, learning? And what if, by being honest, someday, someone, somewhere will read it and face the truth in their own lives? If one person can be drawn a little closer to God by reading this, it's worth it.

So, what AM I struggling with, rejoicing in and learning these days? I am so happy for simple things right now, for beautiful weather, tasty food, being healthy and free and loved. And I am also thirsty. Thirsty for the deeper things in life, the Living water, thirsty for love. It would take hundreds of words to express it all. It seems like I am constantly searching.

Food for thought: What matters in life?

I know all the pat answers. God matters. People matter. Relationships matter. And all the little regularities of life that are necessary for survival matter too; work, sleep, eating, you know. But how do I REALLY live focused on God first? What does that look like? I am going to explore that over the next few weeks. And perhaps for the rest of my life. Because I am determined not to spend my life ignoring what matters most.