In It, Not Of It

I've had this whole issue of being "in the world but not of the world" in my heart for quite some time now. I haven't arranged my thoughts in any cohesive pattern yet, and - as when we pray - they are mostly sensed rather than articulated in language. I just have things in my heart that I feel a need to write about...

My heart hurts deeply for people around me, people that I love, that God loves and for whom His love overflows through me, who are going through painful and difficult times in their lives. I want to talk to them about hope, and about trust, and share the things that give me comfort: that since I gave my life to God, He has control of all circumstances and outcomes; and that since He is my Creator, who knows me better than I know myself and has a special purpose for my life, I don't have to worry about why certain things happen, or what my future will hold, or how I can make things better. It is all His, and He has never let me down or caused me to stumble (although I've tripped myself up more than I care to remember!). But for someone who is of the vague "prayer works" mindset but really has no trust or commitment to God, who casually mentions "sending up prayers" but still maintains control of their own lives, and who has no 24/7 relationship with God through Christ - they don't, can't, get true comfort, and even joy, in the midst of their trials. To someone that's not in that "I am His and He is mine" relationship by the grace of God (not our own efforts) through the blood of Christ (opening up the door that sin had closed)...there can be no hope or comfort. The comfort the world offers is empty, how could I offer that to hurting people?

So what is the answer? God has it: "Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work." 2 Thess. 2:16-17. Compare that to Job 21:34 “How then can you comfort me with empty words, since falsehood remains in your answers?” and you can see what I mean. "There, there now, things will get better" is so meaningless, once you've experienced, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 12:26-27. WOW!

This world will pass away, everything here is temporary. Those who are living for it can find no comfort in it. As much as that hurts my heart, I know that it hurts God's more, He loves every single one of His creation with a love we can't even begin to understand! So many, even among Christians, love the world more than the Kingdom, as is evidenced by their fear of death and the mindset, even in believers, of life (quantity of years on earth) at any cost. Why? Our time here is just the blink of an eye, just a tiny speck in an eternity that is bigger than the universe. Whether we are called Home when we're 40 or when we're 90, isn't going Home what it's all about? Working for the Kingdom (not our 401K or our retirement or a bigger house and 2 cars) while we're here, and when our work is done, to be rewarded by an eternity spent with the One we love and serve...there is great comfort in that!

That's what Jesus' words in John 17 are all about. We're here to share God's bounty of love, blessing, joy, and life with the world, but it's not about living here, it's not about prosperity or worldly success - it's about getting the job done and joyfully going Home, to the arms of our beloved Jesus, and taking as many as we can with us for He rejoices with every soul who finds its way home to Him. (See Luke 15) He doesn't want any of us to be lost: "...He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2Peter 3:9)

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." John 12:1-4 NIV

I have loved the world. I have lived for worldly reward. That is part of the human experience. If we have never seen the emptiness of a worldly life, we can't turn from it to the joy of a Christ-filled life. I praise God for the work He does through me now...I thank Him for the joy that stays with me as His Spirit lives within my heart and fills every pore of my being...I pray to be a vessel so He can use me...I offer up my body as a living sacrifice, living to be pleasing to God, not conforming to this world, but transformed (Romans 12:1-2)...and I look forward anxiously to the day when I can run into the arms of my beloved Jesus, the Source of all comfort.