D
The Lord seems to be answering an IRL question I've been struggling with for the last couple of months in odd ways. (Does he do anything in normal ways? lol)
I'm coming to a resolution on it already, but thought it would be good to discuss together.
Note: Discuss. A different word than argue and a different word than teach. So, if you can only argue or teach, find a new post now.
I'd like a conversation, and I'd like it a little deeper than don't watch TV and don't listen to "ungodly" music.
This is about “And they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall” and "be of in the world, but not of it."
Sometimes that's harder than it seems. And often it's because we are led on a path that enters entire landscapes of the world-over-the-Lord ages ago. Yet this is our path the Lord has given us.
-- If we need counseling, most of the skilled counselors are humanists.
-- If we we want to help our communities politically, most politicians are worldly.
-- If we want to go into the arts, most of that field is run by worldly people. And most of the artists and crafters bought into it.
-- If we want to teach students, go into non-profits work, and even unions, they are of the world.
Does that mean don't do any of that? If you believe that then the world already won for you. God has put many of us on paths where we must be of the world, but not in it. And it very much means we have to know where to step without it blowing up in our face.
Now, I know, most will immediately go with "stay out of it all together," but "in the world" really means "in the world!" So "stay out" isn't godly advice. It's a knee-jerk reaction.
I've made an impractical decision in the last couple of days that both thrills me (because I know it is God working this out in me) and terrifies me (because the odds of it working just drastically dropped and I've been working this out for over a decade.) It's based on all of this, and now it's time to trust the Lord once again. I don't know if it will work out like I hope. But I do know it will work out like God planned. So I seek comfort from my bros. (And to me, bros is a nongender word.) Bros who have already pulled it off or are in the process of pulling it off in the Lord.
So, how has this worked in your life? And what has the Lord done for you? Personal failure is an option, as long as we know it is not failing God.
I'm coming to a resolution on it already, but thought it would be good to discuss together.
Note: Discuss. A different word than argue and a different word than teach. So, if you can only argue or teach, find a new post now.
I'd like a conversation, and I'd like it a little deeper than don't watch TV and don't listen to "ungodly" music.
This is about “And they fortified Jerusalem unto the broad wall” and "be of in the world, but not of it."
Sometimes that's harder than it seems. And often it's because we are led on a path that enters entire landscapes of the world-over-the-Lord ages ago. Yet this is our path the Lord has given us.
-- If we need counseling, most of the skilled counselors are humanists.
-- If we we want to help our communities politically, most politicians are worldly.
-- If we want to go into the arts, most of that field is run by worldly people. And most of the artists and crafters bought into it.
-- If we want to teach students, go into non-profits work, and even unions, they are of the world.
Does that mean don't do any of that? If you believe that then the world already won for you. God has put many of us on paths where we must be of the world, but not in it. And it very much means we have to know where to step without it blowing up in our face.
Now, I know, most will immediately go with "stay out of it all together," but "in the world" really means "in the world!" So "stay out" isn't godly advice. It's a knee-jerk reaction.
I've made an impractical decision in the last couple of days that both thrills me (because I know it is God working this out in me) and terrifies me (because the odds of it working just drastically dropped and I've been working this out for over a decade.) It's based on all of this, and now it's time to trust the Lord once again. I don't know if it will work out like I hope. But I do know it will work out like God planned. So I seek comfort from my bros. (And to me, bros is a nongender word.) Bros who have already pulled it off or are in the process of pulling it off in the Lord.
So, how has this worked in your life? And what has the Lord done for you? Personal failure is an option, as long as we know it is not failing God.