Jesus prayed in John 17:14-18: ‘I have given them your word…My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world’ (NIV). Where did Jesus dispatch His disciples? Into the world. He didn’t say, ‘Try to avoid the world. Just hang out with Christian people in the church, and keep your distance from people who use bad language and are bad people.’ He says being sent as a representative of God into your job, your neighbourhood, your circumstances, and your situations is why you’re on this planet. He says, ‘As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ (John 20:21 NIV). We’re not called to avoid the world, but to engage it. You say, ‘But I don’t feel comfortable around such people.’ Then ask God to make you more like Jesus, who was known as ‘a friend of sinners’ (see Luke 7:34). Jesus told His disciples, ‘I am sending you out like sheep among wolves’ (Matthew 10:16 NIV). It takes two things for a sheep to operate among wolves: courage and wisdom. It also takes total commitment. Albert Schweitzer gave up his standing as a superb theologian and world-class musician to serve the poorest people on another continent. Whatever God has called you to do, it will involve loving people and giving yourself to them.

© 2024. Written by Bob and Debby Gass. Used by permission under licence from UCB International.