“As You sent Me into the world, I have sent them into the world.“— John 17:18
One of the subtle temptations Christians face is the inclination to surround ourselves with only Christian people.
Jesus also told His Father, “My prayer is not that You take them out of the world but that You protect them from the evil one.”
We don’t escape this world until the day Jesus takes us home. Life can be harsh, and sometimes we desperately want to escape or hide in our church sub-culture.
King David of ancient Israel certainly felt that way when he wrote, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest!” (Psalm 55:6).
If you read the whole Psalm you’ll see that he was hurting and longed to escape this world.
But we can’t.
God never intended for us to live in a Christian subculture. Or to become “rabbit hole” Christians—the kind who merely pop our heads out once in a while but live underground in fear the rest of the time.
Jesus told us, “You are the salt of the earth.” Salt seasons and preserves. It adds flavor and zest to food, and also works as a cleansing and preserving agent. Jesus wants to use us in the same way—but we can’t be salty if we stay in the salt shaker!
He also said, “You are the light of the world.”
So He sends us out, not to conform to the world but to shine with a message of love and Truth.
We don’t do that by being critical and judgmental. We do it by being part of a community and serving others.
Walk with a neighbor, become a little league coach, smile at the grocery clerks, and genuinely thank them when they check your groceries. Make friends with your local coffee barista, join the PTA, play softball in a non-Christian league (and demonstrate good sportsmanship!).
Take the time, like Jesus did, to get to know individual people and their stories. Be salt, sprinkled everywhere, inspired and empowered by the Holy Spirit to show the love of Jesus to the world.
“A Christian is not one who withdraws but one who infiltrates.” —Bill Glass
