Two Worlds
Psalm 135:15-18 "The idols of the nations are
silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak,
eyes, but they cannot see; they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath
in their mouths. Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who
trust in them." NIV
I spend my physical time in two different worlds, home and work and my friends
and neighbours know at a whiff which world I have just come from. Why? Because
when I am working at home out in the barn rubbing shoulders with the horses and
goats and pitching hay, and straw, that's exactly what I smell like; horses,
goats, hay and straw.
Likewise as God's people it is a fact that we also interact in two separate
worlds. As Christians we belong to God, we are born again into the spiritual
world as our souls have been transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into his
wonderful light. At the same time however we still live and work in this
physical world, a world that often trusts not in God but in material things,
hopes and dreams. We are bombarded by the media by means of radio, television,
movies, magazines, newspapers, books, music, and ads of all kinds that promote
the misguided fact that the idol of materialism and worldliness is the one to
seek after and worship.
"When Jesus prayed for his disciples he said: My
prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from
the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them
by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:15-17 NIV
Spending time with God, through the power of his word helps to make us like him.
It scents our very being with his spirit as it fills our mouth with words of
encouragement and wisdom; opens our eyes to truth and justice; tunes our ears to
his will and way and breathes the power of life eternal through Jesus Christ
into our souls. It purifies us making us more like Him and His world even amidst
a world of idolatry.
As a Christian it is my hope and prayer today that just as my friends and
neighbours know at a whiff which world I have physically come from they might
also know by means of a fragrant godly word, action, or look which world I
belong to spiritually and in whom I trust.
Prayer: Father God thank you for the power of your word and its availability to
all peoples throughout the majority of our world today. Thank you for all those
who have devoted their lives to the distribution of your word worldwide. Bless
them for their commitment and sacrifice. And bless us with hearts that hunger
and thirst after your word which is truth. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
Lynne Phipps
lynnephipps@hotmail.com
Atlin, B.C.