“They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world” – Jesus speaking in John 17:16

“In order to change an existing imagined order, we must first believe in an alternative imagined order.” – Author Unknown

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” –  Mahatma Gandhi

Life is hard at times – very hard.  Each day can bring a whole new set of challenges – ones we never imagined could develop so quickly or without any notice.

For some of us, it is physical pain – brought on by disease or sickness.  For others, it is emotional pain, brought on by loneliness, abandonment, betrayal, or anxiety.  It can be pressure in the form of work, issues with our children, lack of finances, or simply the uncertainty of what tomorrow might bring.

Whenever any of these kinds of life challenges surface for me, I hold on to, embrace, and focus on one critical fact we all tend to easily forget:

“I am in this world, but I am not of this world.  My problems, fears, and hardships are temporary in nature.  Who I truly am, and the nature of my being far outweighs and transcends all that I am currently experiencing.  So, I will choose to focus, every day and with intention, on those things that truly define who I am and who I was created to be.  In doing so, I will become my true self, and I will change my world.”

We can so quickly forget that we don’t belong here – that the world and all it represents is foreign to who we are deep inside – to the actual essence of our being.  Who we are, that invisible part of us that’s intangible and spiritual, is made up and centered in a belief system that is counter to what the world depicts as normal and customary.

But the crux of the matter is WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD!  The pain, the hardships and the anxiety isn’t a figment of our imagination.  We must face and deal with all it – whatever it throws our way.  It is all a part of the journey – aspects of which we will never understand until we leave it someday for the next.

But here is something to think about:

What can help us through, what can ease the burdens, what can keep us moving forward, what can CHANGE the world we live in and experience, is to focus on the essence of who we truly are – to live within and represent those values that are counter to what the world portrays as normal.

We must do it with intention EVERY DAY or we can easily and without any effort get drawn back into the ways of the world – a world we are in, but not of.

Here are some examples:

REST AND LET GO versus MAKING HAPPEN AND HOLDING ON

The world tells us that to get your way, YOU must make things happen!  It encourages us to hold on to hurt, misdeeds, and mistreatment.  But who we truly are deep inside spiritually is so counter to these beliefs!  Lao Tzu reminds us to “Let things flow naturally forward in whatever way they like”.  Buddha tells us. “Praise and blame, gain and loss, pleasure and sorrow, come and go like the wind.  To be happy, REST like a giant tree in the midst of them all.”  The Scriptures tell us to “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him.” 

If you are currently feeling angst about what to do next or holding on to any aspect of life – fearful that it will elude your grasp, TAKE ACTION by resting and letting go – allowing the flow of life and God’s ways to unfold naturally.

EMBRACE FAITH AND HOPE versus EMBRACE ANXIETY AND WORRY

It is a normal, worldly response to be anxious about what the future holds or to worry about the outcome of current issues you face.  But deep inside, we know the power of expectancy – having an unshakable faith and hope that God is ultimately in control of all aspects of life.

The Apostle Paul tells us to “Don’t worry about anything – instead, pray about everything!  Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank Him for His answers.” (Philippians 4:6) Even Jesus tells us “Do not worry about your life.  Can anyone of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?” (Matthew 6:25-27)

LOVINGLY GIVE OF YOURSELF versus SELFISHLY TAKE AND WITHOLD

The world tells us that we need to be concerned about ourselves FIRST, but the essence of who we really are is all about serving and giving.  The Bible says, “Give and it shall be given to you – good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap!” (Luke 6:38) and to “Serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13)

Lao Tzu reminds us that “The reason why the Universe is eternal is that it does not live for itself; it gives life to others as it transforms.”

The world tells us the way to abundance is by cheating, deceiving, and taking for ourselves, but if we truly seek lasting abundance, we must give and serve FIRST.

EMBRACE INFINITY versus BELIEVING THIS WORLD IS ALL THERE IS

The essence of who we are is eternal – not temporal.  But we live life as if this is all we will ever have.  We think our pain will last forever, our hardships will never cease, and our problems will never end.  But everything in this world will end.  Someday, it will cease to exist.  We will go on – transcending all our earthly experiences and challenges.

Do you live your life each day with an eternal perspective?  Do you live it with the realization that NO MATTER WHAT happens here, nothing can interfere with or contend with your infinite spirit?  Do you see this world and all the obstacles and tribulations that come with it as temporary?

If you embrace your infinite spirit each day, life becomes easier and less burdensome.  You see the value of the journey, the lesson, and the temporal aspects of whatever you encounter – making even the blessings and the joys more fulfilling!

BELIEVE IN JUSTICE AND FAIRNESS versus BELIEVING IN FATE AND SEEKING VENGENANCE

If we embrace who we really are as spiritual, we know that fairness and justice move beyond the finite aspects of this world – playing out in the next world that awaits us.  The world tells us that fate drives our existence, that luck and chance are at the center of all that transpires, and that any misdeeds need to be made RIGHT by us.

If we believe that justice is something separate from God, then we must believe that He too is held to its standard – something above Him.  But if we believe that justice IS God, the very core of WHO HE IS, then we believe it is inevitable – constantly existing within every aspect of life now and beyond.

So, in the areas described above, are you of this world or have you come to realize you are NOT of this world?  Can you see the value in embracing WHO YOU REALLY ARE daily?

If you do, life here becomes easier, not harder 🙂

You will see it for what it truly represents.  You won’t let it sway you into believing or acting on its philosophies or values.  You will begin seeing the suffering, hardship, and trials as temporary.  By embracing who you are, you will begin changing your world and the world of those you touch.

God bless!