“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
(John 15:19 )
Jesus made a point in this statement that our present life is temporary, and it’s not where we belong for the long term. In other words, we are just passing through.
We may not feel hated as today’s scripture says, but we may at times feel that we don’t fit in, or that we haven’t received the respect that we should be given. Whatever we are going through, it could be a personal wake up call, to remind us that we do not belong to this world, because Jesus chose us out of the world.
When we are struggling with disappointment, rejection or sorrow, Jesus comforts us in our afflictions, reminding us that we belong to Him. If we are on an upward path of success, we might become too comfortable, in which case, Jesus allows afflictions to disturb our comfort, and remind us that we are not permanent residents here.
In every situation, He wants us to remember who we belong to and where we are going.
A book I am reading, describes how some people today suffer from a pandemic of a “Fear of missing out.”
Young people delay getting married until later in order not to miss out on their career. Retired people try to fulfill their goals, while they are still healthy. Many people are managing their life decisions to make sure they don’t miss out on something.
Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, but He made it clear that we should be concerned about our eternal tomorrow. He said things like “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36)
Jesus gave the most sobering warning regarding our soul verses our body. He said, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Matthew 10:28)
While we are passing through this life, a healthy fear of God keeps us on our spiritual toes. Jesus reminded us that our body is our temporary outer shell, but our soul lives forever.
All that happens in this life, prepares us for eternity. Just as physical exercise is healthy for the body, there are spiritual exercises that are good for the soul. Sometimes it requires shutting out all the outside noise, turning everything off, just to sit in silence, and ask God, “What do you want from me, Lord?”
It’s a healthy exercise for the soul to ask Him this question once in a while, instead of telling Him all the things we want or need. We may wonder what He will ask of us, but then we realize that God is our good and loving father. He will only ask of us what is best for our soul. The few times in my life that I asked God that question, interesting things began to happen.
The first time was when I was nineteen, and I asked God, “If you are real, what do you expect from me?” He led me on a journey that ended in a short, sincere prayer in my living room one day. The Holy Spirit came into my living room and I knew as never before, that Jesus gave His life for me personally. He transformed me and renewed my mind ever since. Faith has to be intimate, otherwise it’s simply rules and rituals.
The next time I asked that same question, in a different way, was after Stephen, my late husband died. The following year, the Covid pandemic changed everyone’s life. As churches were closing and I was furloughed from my job, I asked God, “What can I do for you during this strange period of solitude and isolation?”
It was then that I developed a new passion for writing meditations, while reading scripture. I never expected to be blessed by such a wonderful group of people, who are still receiving these daily meditations by email and text.
Last month I had a second meditation published in Upper Room magazine. I never knew how asking God the right questions could bear so much spiritual fruit.
When Jon had his accident, I began asking God that question again. One day while I was visiting him at the Nursing Facility, I looked around at all the people in that Day room, and God opened my eyes. As I looked at those people, I saw Jesus in all of their lonely, isolated faces. I felt that He was asking me to befriend them, and ever since then, I have been visiting all of them each week, as well as Jon.
There are seasons in everyone’s life. Some seasons are like springtime, light and joyful, and other seasons are like winter, blistering cold with unexpected hardships. Whatever season we are in, if we talk to God and ask Him what we can do for Him, in the current season of our life, Jesus will answer us. He answers by showing us how to take our eyes off of our problems and look at Him. He shows us Himself through others and asks us to give of ourselves in some way, since that’s what He always did.
The measure in which we give ourselves to others will be the measure that we receive it back.
(Luke 6:38)
The seasons of life come and go, but each season works to strengthen our soul and prepare us for eternity. We remember the words and warnings of Jesus, to guard our soul like the pearl of great price, because that is the part of us that will live forever.
In passing through whatever season we are in, by asking God the right questions, we will realize how much Jesus loves us and gave Himself for us. In giving of ourselves, we receive back more than what we could ever give. Jesus chose us out of this world because we belong to Him.
Lord, thank you for loving us and that we belong to you. Help us in every season to keep asking the important questions that will strengthen our soul with a faith that keeps us in your care for all eternity. Amen