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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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Very sound teaching!
How do you love the sinner when you condemn the sin?
So very true Lynne. Thanks for writing this devotion. Have a blessed weekend,
Great post, Lynne! The balancing act is often very difficult, but your words help us see our way through. The animals are very lucky to have you to help them too!
What an interesting story, and great application to our lives in Christ!
Thanks, Lynne and bless you for your encouragement!
Great reminder!
Lynne, I love the heart of love you have and express for God’s dear animals as well as for God’s Word and for all that are in the world. May you keep sharing God’s love and truth in your very special gifted way. Thank you.
Thanks Lynne. I too struggle with secular people, but I believe we are to live humbly with them as Jesus did, lest we alienate them from a relationship with God… a true balancing act.
Blessings.
Good morning, Lynne,
In this world as it is today, I am continually wondering what is going on in the minds of those who perform the atrocities. May the Lord speak to the heart of all of them.
Thank you for writing.
Hello Lynne,
I hope Caesar is doing well.
Thank you for another encouraging devotional.
Hope you had a blessed Easter, mine was different but special.
God bless.
Thank you, Lynne, for another of your very interesting and explicit devotionals. Yes, we sure do have to find the right balance the way things are in our world these days and the perfect way is to stay true to our loving Lord and obedient to His word. There is no other way for sure.
Blessings for your very special and most meaningful writings.
Morning Lynne, thanks for another great read. It will most certainly help me today; as I have to hit the battle ground. This world is truly becoming a difficult place to navigate. Especially, when others truly do not understand the two choices we have… heaven or hell…. the answer, to me, is pretty simple.
Have a wonderful day, and weekend.
Dear Lynne,
Thanks again for “hitting the nail on the head.” I have had to make a difficult decision regarding a wedding invitation, but the Bible makes the correct decision plain whether there are angry responses or not. The growth of the secular society is making it more difficult to be seen as “loving” Christians to those who do not understand.
I hope that the tripod will soon be able to navigate successfully. We had a neighbour with a 3-legged yellow lab who could run as fast as the other dogs.
May spring soon be felt in your area!
Thank you very much for your devotion of today. My first thought prior to starting my devotions this morning was I’m going to delve into the truth, give myself my first dose of Truth to start the day. Pilate asked Jesus “what is truth?”, while at the same time he was staring Truth right in the face. You are so right, this world bombards us, but it forces us to peel away the layers in ourselves as we try to negotiate that which the world presents and what we know in our spirit to be true. There is a battle within, and we don’t always make correct choices. However, we have this anchor in Christ that gives us our secure hope in this tumultuous world. I need these devotions daily to strengthen me and you are part of that. Thanks again for your work. I really enjoy the lessons in life that you share from the animals that are part of your life.
Good morning, Lynne,
Your descriptions of Caesar and his ability to learn to gain his balance on his three legs is inspiring and encouraging for me. Definitely walking in a secular world which can clash with your faith is a challenge. Jesus knows of those challenges and His Word encourages us, as you do in your devotional to continue to find that new spiritual centre of gravity. It especially hit home when you talk about loving others, but not loving what they do. I feel this is very important, but not so easy to apply. Definitely it is important to gain more understanding and not to give up and isolate oneself which means you ignore the challenge and growth that can come from it.
Thanks for sharing about Caesar. The world is blessed that there are people who will take the time to help others find their centre of gravity. Blessings.
Thank you for this encouraging devotional. May we always seek to do God’s will. Blessings.
Oh Lynne, you always hit the nail on the head!! What a struggle it is for my two sons – one a high school teacher and the other in the government.
Both of them share their ‘fears’ of conflict and persecution and the looming possibility of ‘job loss’ (neither of which has happened to them). How difficult their lives have become – how tempting it is to lay blame at individual government people. I confess that I struggle to pray for God’s Presence and protection in their lives, rather than getting tangled up in anger and blame. A society is a ‘huge leviathan’ that moves with all the currents of individual opinions and sinful desires. May WE be a powerful part of the current of HIS WORD, HIS WAY working against the rip tide of sexual freedom and self-centred thinking. Thank you for reminding me that I’m not the only one struggling. May the LORD continue to bless you in your writing – and not only you, but all the others who share their thoughts and experiences – through God’s Word.