We are called to be the children of God, the light of the world and the salt of the earth. But when it really comes to it, we feel that we’re normal people trying to fit in with everyone around us. We forget that we live in the world but don’t belong to the world. And I think this is a very difficult concept to live by. How can we live in the world, be successful, achieve worldly things yet not let the world live in our hearts? Christ said, “ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:14-16). So Christ is showing us that, yes, we live in the world and yes, He even gives us worldly successes and relationships to help us, but we’re heavenly beings waiting to return to our eternal home.
This means that, as Holy people living in an unholy world, we have two realities that we must live by. We live in the world, and this is one reality. Yet, we belong to God and this is our heavenly reality. That earthly reality is what surrounds us and is all what we know. But on the other hand, the heavenly reality is within us even though it’s unseen and sometimes unfelt. In the Old Testament, there’s a story that shows both realities seen at the same time. In 2 Kings chapter 6, we see the King of Syria surrounding the man of God Elisha with a great army, horses and chariots. If you ask me, this is a scary reality. It must have been a petrifying experience feeling trapped against a strong enemy. How many of us feel defeated by the devil sometimes? In our tribulations, temptations, and when we get peer pressured, it’s hard to see anything but how weak we are and how strong our enemy is. And that’s exactly how Elisha’s servant felt. The Bible says, “ And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (2 Kings 6:15). Yes, what shall we do when all we see is evil and sin? What shall we do when the devil attacks us with every possible wickedness: porn, lust, greed, jealousy, etc. How do we fight back?
In that story, the Bible doesn’t show us weapons or another great army to fight Elisha’s enemy. It says, “So Elisha answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:16-17). Another reality is shown here. A reality that shows a loving and a protecting Father that doesn’t leave His children at any moment. A heavenly reality showing power and victory no matter how bitter the earthly reality may seem.
Our God has promised us that He’s with us always and that He’s our leader and our shield. So how can we not believe this reality and His promises? One reality says that if we don’t have a lot of friends or if we don’t have a girlfriend or a boyfriend then we’re not cool enough and we haven’t experienced the true meaning of love. God says, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you” (Jeremiah 31:3). Only God can fills our hearts with His satisfying love; it doesn’t come from people around us. Another reality says that if you don’t seek a specific career and achieve a specific GPA then you’re a failure. God says, “Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed” (Proverbs 16:3). The world tells us that you need to overwork yourself so you can make enough money because that’s how true happiness comes. Our God says, “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Mathew 6: 31-33). The devil lies to us and tries to convince us that we’re weak. We sometimes put ourselves down and believe the earthly identity imposed on us. We think that we need to be accepted by others and we need to have so many followers on social media so we can know our worth. But the Bible says, “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works” (psalm 139:14).
We need to learn how to involve God in our earthly reality. We need to share our fears, our worries, and our sins with Him so He can bring His love, His identity, His forgiveness and His power to us. With every fall, we have a God to raise us up. With every failure, we have a God who provides us with success. With every fear, we have a God who gives peace. Train yourself to see His reality in your daily reality.