John 17.18
“Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.”
One of the most important things I have learned about the Christian faith over many years is how real Christianity is. The Lord is intimately concerned with the daily realities of the rough and tumble world in which we live. He is concerned about the people, processes. and issues in your work. He cares about the goals, tasks, plans, and problems that you deal with every day. The Lord wants to be fully connected to what you do, how you do it, why, and with whom.
Same with your home life. The Lord wants to be fully engaged in how you and your family go about life together. Married, single, with kids, no kids … the Lord cares deeply about the details of your family life and friendships.
We serve a God who understands. The Lord not only created the physical world, he also took on human form and lived and worked in the world for three decades. He was a carpenter, a builder of houses and furniture. He worked with a measuring device, a saw, and hammer and nails. He fixed broken things.
Sometimes he hit his thumb. He got splinters. Sometimes he had to work in difficult, inclement conditions. He had to compete with other carpenters for business, and then deliver to the satisfaction of his customers.
And since people are people, he had to deal with a wide variety of customers: some friendly and appreciative, others grumpy, demanding, and impossible to please. At some point, someone tried to cheat him. He got up early, worked hard all day, and went to bed late. Some days (probably many days) he went to bed exhausted, knowing that when the sun rose in the east he had to get up and go to work again.
Jesus calls us to real life in the real world, not to some fantasy life in a fantasy world. When he invites us into relationship with him, he is open and transparent about the fact that it won’t alway be easy. Yes, we are “blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places” as Paul says in Ephesians, but that does not mean we are exempt from difficulties, challenges, and adversity.
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy,” Jesus said in John 10. “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”
Jesus also said this: “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
God sent Jesus into the fallen world, and Jesus sends us. This is our calling. Our mission. Our purpose. Let us fully embrace the mission by serving the Lord in every dimensions of our lives.
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” (John 15.8-9)
