There is something in each of my offices that is a subtle reminder to me about a very important aspect of our faith. On the shelf at one site, I have a globe. It is not an expensive, collectible piece and it is old enough to be not completely accurate. I have had it for a long time and it has made many moves with me through life. The other site contains a wall hanging of a classic, ornamental, two-dimensional, “old world” looking map. Both serve the same purpose for me. They remind me that our faith is in the God of the entire world.
Scripture teaches us that God loves this world He has made. We also see in scripture how often this same world becomes an expression of evil in its many forms. This leaves us with a bit of a struggle as we try to live faithful lives. Through the years, some people of faith have sought to remove themselves from the world. It only seems to “work” on very small scales. Others have simply given up on faith and given in to the “song of the siren.” It is a reality and a tension we must all face at certain points.
One classic formulation has been to respond to this worldly dynamic by seeing Christian faith as a call to be “in” the world, but not “of” the world. This can be helpful though it does not solve everything. It does free us to live and work in the world in ways that strive to make the world a better place; to join in God’s reconciling and redeeming work in the midst of a chaotic and hurting world. Yet it also reminds us that our hope and our trust lie beyond this world, in the hands of the one who has created it, and us, and all things.
God does indeed love this world. So much so, that Jesus came to live and die as one of us, to free us and give us the gift of new, eternal life. When you read John 3:16, you also have to ready verse 17. As messy as life in this world can be, we are called to engage it as we may; trusting in the grace, and love, and forgiveness of God to give us what we need for the struggle.
So, I will leave my globe and my wall map right where they are, constant reminders that God’s love extends beyond my limited perspective. I will let them serve as a touch point, so that when I am scratching my head thinking, “What is this world up to now?” I can remember to stop and pray and ask for God’s guidance. How do you want me/us Lord, to live faithfully and constructively in this world, as we look to you for deliverance, and hope, and new life? I know you are with us Lord. How might we live for the sake of this world you love? Amen.
Peace and Joy in Christ,
Pastor Steve
