By Holly
I think I too often focus on what it means to “be in the world, but not of the world,” rather then trusting God with my circumstances and relationships. Jeremy and I were talking about this phrase the other day and we decided we don’t like that it still suggests a definite separation of the secular and the spiritual. This idea reminds me of the scene in the Two Towers where Merry and Pippin are with Treebeard and they can no longer convince the Tree Hearders to fight Isengard. Pippin suggests that they return home to the Shire
If God’s Kingdom is here and now, how can we be salt and light to the world in dark places? I often struggle with this tension because Christ is calling us to be open to all relationships and to be bold about our life in Christ. We have to take risks with people and be praying about where God can use us in every day life. Too often I think like Pippin and want to turn to what is comfortable and easy but at the same time I know that I would never go back to my old life. This calling is difficult and it is a reality of God’s Kingdom. I think too often Christians clump together instead of scattering ourselves around our cities, to be a part of culture. We are of this world and God is calling us to go beyond it to seek first His Kingdom and to bring as many people as we can with us. When we take risks and trust God, His victory becomes a reality that we have the opportunity to take part in. The Tree Hearders finally decide to fight Saruman because Merry and Pippin decided to persevere and take a stand.
Holly, I really appreciate what you had to say. I definitely agree that we continue to draw a line between the sacred and the secular. We categorize things areas that are ‘spiritual’ like our church and small groups, and areas that are outside of that reach like sports and going to the store. It is so important that we see find the sacred in everything we do. God is present in every moment of every day, it is just our choice to choose to acknowledge Him or not. I appreciate the encouragement you give to scatter Christians throughout the city instead of just clumping together and this is something I struggle with. Growing up in a predominantly ‘Christian’ community and Christian school, I am continually learning what it means to step outside of that and be a light to the world,
In my New Testament class Dr. Morelang said “Christians are commanded to be joyful, but not necessarily to be happy”. I think so many Christians today are trying so hard to be happy that they are losing their joy in the pursuit of their happiness. We must remember that our joy is in Christ. And it is in our pursuit of Him that happiness ceases to matter, because our joy is overflowing.
Holly, I really like the parallel you drew to the Lord of the Rings, because it is such a good picture of what we tend to do. I think sometimes we, as Christians with a real reason for hope and rejoicing, tend to emphasize the joy of the Christian life, and not so much the difficulties. But it in the difficulties that we must continue to look forward to the infinite joy offered us.
Holly, something I struggle with as well is comfort. I have a really hard time breaking out my own little area of comfort and putting myself in uncomfortable environments. I think this creates a tension with a Christian community. For instance, I really appreciate the community that I have with the guys in my house but I know that I should put myself in more uncomfortable environments where God can work. I want to work at breaking out of my comfort zone as well as keeping the strong relationships that I have with my closest friend.