“Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy. I have given them your word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. And I give myself as a holy sacrifice for them so they can be made holy by your truth. “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. John 17:13-20 (NLT)
Recently, I heard two stories that really bothered me. One was a post on Facebook by a friend who was sitting in a parking lot on the phone and a man drove up next to her, revealed himself in a lewd way and then drove off. It was a horrifying experience.
Then, a few days later on the news there was a story about a woman on a plane who woke up to a man groping her. The news said that the instance of women being groped on planes had increased 66% over the last three years.
As I sat there and watched the news, thoughts started creeping into my head. I am starting to travel more and these reports disturbed me. And I thought “I think I should just stay home more. Maybe if I don’t go out, I can avoid this horrible stuff.”
And then I realized that was exactly what Satan wanted me to think. If I shrink back from being in the world because I am afraid, he has won.
Jesus is sending us into the world to make a difference. He is sending us to be a light in a dark place, salt to a world that is tasteless. We are to go and trust that God will be in every minute....even the scary and offensive ones.
I am deeply disturbed for all the people who are experiencing the depravity of a world that has lost sight of God. I pray for the safety of everyone I know all the time. But God’s Word is clear. We cannot withdraw from what we are called to do.
We have to engage. We have to “Go” and be Jesus here. We will only do that if we trust that God is bigger, stronger and present. He is present in a dying world because we “Go.”