Fitting the Pieces Together

While preparing for a meeting with my Compass Group (my church communities name for what are often called “cell groups”or “home groups”) I got stuck on the beginning verses of our assigned Bible passage in 1st Peter 1:1-9.

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

It's the “strangers in the world” phrase that caused me to wonder. Am I really a stranger to this world or am I living in the promised land, where I sense little tension between my faith and the values of the dominant culture? Have I somehow confused the language of the Kingdom with the language of consumerism, become accustomed to the gods of the land – accommodated the spirit of the times?

Sure, my friends pat me on the back for working at a faith-based organization. Many say it must be wonderful to be doing something that so profoundly changes the world. Without question, I work for a marvelous organization, one that is really helping bring the Kingdom to earth. However; even in this great environment, I can easily revert to the thought patterns of corporate culture. I can begin to assess things through a cost-effective model that often loses sight of Kingdom virtues and be lead astray. Just because I'm in this environment, doesn't mean I can't easily lose my way and begin to focus on my individual well-being and happiness – losing sight of community and the Kingdom vision of finding self-worth in service on behalf of others. When this happens, the pieces don't fit together.

To truly live as a convert, an alien or a stranger, I believe I must face the challenge of how to live in the world while living a Kingdom life. Living in a way that exposes, challenges, and yet may sometimes embrace and reaffirm the way of the dominate culture. The life I hope to lead doesn't withdrawal from the dominant culture or seek to change it through zealot action – advocating its violent overthrow. Instead, this life demonstrates extraordinary love, living out an alternative life that serves others while giving the world the means to see itself truthfully. When I live as an alien, I live in obedience to Jesus Christ and all the pieces begin to fit together.