John 17:14-15 – I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (NIV)

My veterinarian works in conjunction with the SPCA, and a concerned neighbour took Caesar, a stray cat, to the clinic. His right hind leg was broken and sported a huge, open, badly infected wound, which ultimately required the amputation of his leg. My daughter works with the cats at the clinic, so I knew of Caesar's situation, and I offered to foster him until he recovered from his surgery and built his new life as a tripod, or a three-legged cat.

As a tripod, Caesar has had to find his new centre of gravity. This is not always easy, especially on smooth surfaces. He has his slips and falls, and though it is still much of a balancing act, he is gradually learning to cope well in this, his new life.

Likewise, when we become Christians, we, too, enter a new lifestyle, a way of life which calls us to find a new spiritual centre of gravity. In many ways, this is a balancing act, as we learn to live out the Christian life, being in this secular world, but not to be of it. As Christ's chosen people, we are called to discern what is of the world, what is of the kingdom of God, and how to balance the two, which, for many, is becoming increasingly difficult as our world becomes more secular. We are bombarded with moral and ethical choices, making it much more difficult to know just how to stand our ground in regard to loving others while at the same time not loving what they do. We live in a time when to disagree with someone often results in their anger, as they consider our difference of values to be judgmental, condemning, and hateful. For the most part, people can no longer agree to disagree and continue to live in peace one with another.

So, what do we do? How do we, as God's people, keep our spiritual balance, our centre of Christian gravity, amidst these circumstances? Today's Scripture verse gives us the answer: God has given us His Word, the Bible, which has the answers that we need in this very uncertain and rather confusing state of world affairs.

The Scriptures have every truth, every bit of wisdom and guidance that we need to manoeuvre in this world as God's people. So, let's commit ourselves not to neglect our study of it. Rather, let us delve into its truth more and more each day, that the Spirit may be able to guide and direct us as to the best way to live in, but not of, this world.

Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word, which contains all that we need to be thoroughly equipped for every good work in this, our increasingly secular world. In Christ's name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Lynne Phipps <lynnephippsatlin@gmail.com>
Tawatinaw, Alberta, Canada
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