Friday, October 29: Walking in the world!

It is interesting to discover the world view of the people who cross our paths each day. Some of those world views involve a strong worship of money, possessions and gain. Others tend to focus upon nature, and worship God’s creation rather than the Creator. Finally, a minority of people attempt to see the world through the eyes of God, and along with that, through the words of the Bible. Yet even Christians find a hard time avoiding the dirt and grime of the world. Sometimes, we need a refresher. Has the world view crept into your Biblical world view while you weren’t looking?



25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.
John 12:25-26


This morning, Paul and I arose at 6:00 a.m. and left the campsite at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We drove an hour and a half to Old Faithful, the well-known geyser that erupts every 60-90 minutes. If the eruption lasts less than two and a half minutes, the next eruption will come in an hour, yet if the eruption lasts longer than two and half minutes, the next eruption will not occur for an hour and a half. It was strange to be two of only four people watching the geyser, at one of the most popular tourist stops in the country, as the season has wound down. We stopped numerous times on the return trip to take photos of some of the most amazing scenery in this country. Upon arrival at the campsite, we were supplied with bacon, eggs and toast that Tommy had cooked for us. Aaron cooked breakfast the day before. The three young men were missing civilization, and asked to be dropped off in town to take showers, do laundry, and have lunch. I filled my gas tank, went to the grocery store for more propane, and passed Matthew on his cell phone on my drive back to the campsite. Even while camping he seemed tethered to the outside and the cares of the world.


While the three men were getting a taste of what they are most comfortable with, Paul and I journeyed to the northeast corner of Yellowstone. What a blessing it turned out to be as we saw 60 bison walking toward us down the road. A few miles later, we saw a pair of grey wolves. It’s amazing to see so many different wild animals in their natural habitat. I rushed back to pick up the young men at the Laundromat, seemingly satisfied from that small taste of civilization, and hoped that the dirt and grime of the world was washed away at the Laundromat, rather than allowing it to stick to their Christian walks.


It is wonderful to get away from the world. Being away from the cares of home and job makes it easier to focus on God. Many Christians refer to the “mountain top experience,” a time when they feel an enormous closeness to God. Yet as Christians, those mountain top experiences are not the norm. Instead, our daily walks with the Lord involve trials and tests, for without difficulties, we cannot be stretched or grow! If God did not desire for us to grow closer to Him, He would not leave us on this earth once we became Christians. If you walk down from a mountain, you always will find yourself in a valley. All wars are fought in valleys. So what is the real benefit of the mountain top if we don’t grow in those times? Those times increase our love for the Lord and our faith in His power in our lives. Without that strength, we would rely upon self in the midst of the battles and fail miserably!


18 “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 20 Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
John 15:18-20

Sometimes, we forget how important the world and the things of the world have become to us. Many Christians say they don’t want to die until they have seen their grandchildren or mention another special goal. Yet truthfully, any time the Lord is ready for us to sit at His feet and worship would be the best time for that to take place. There is nothing this world has to offer that compares to the least that God has to offer. Let His Word clean you daily. There is nothing else that can take the grime of the world away!


25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
Ephesians 5:25-28