Sometimes I feel uncomfortable in life. Do you? Sometimes I feel a bit out of place. Have you experienced that? Sometimes I feel like I’m going the wrong way on a one-way street. Have you also felt this way? To experience such does not necessarily mean there is something wrong with us. In fact, such will be the experience if we are following God’s Way in a world that seems determined to go its own.
James exhorted. . .
“(4)You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” (James 4:4 ESV)
This does not mean we ought not to be friendly, but rather to give due consideration to our closest associations and ties. As Jesus noted His disciples were in the world but not of it (John 17:15-16), their purpose in this world was to be a godly influence in it as we also are to be the influence of salt and light (Matthew 5:13-16) as we live our daily life.
Jesus encouraged His disciples. . .
“ (18) If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. (19) If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19 ESV)
As with His disciples, Jesus did not call us to fit in with this world, but to follow Him. (i.e. Luke 9:23; 1 Peter 2:21) That following is not always easy in a world doing its own thing. Feeling the discomfort of being somewhat out of place in this earthly realm is a good thing in reminding us to not become so comfortable here that we forget this world is not our home, but we’re just passing through.
Let us remember our true citizenship is in Heaven (Philippians 3:20) and with each step of our journey here we continue drawing closer to our eternal home above! (2 Corinthians 5:1) That is the place our Lord went to prepare for us and where He prepares our life to fit! In continuing to live with a forward focus in following Christ, we remain fit for His kingdom. (note Luke 9:62) May we remain humbly surrendered to Him and His Will so that His transformative work continues in making us fit for the glorious eternity to come!
Have a great day KNOWING WHERE WE TRULY FIT!
Carl
