In this day and age, it’s difficult to stay focused on God when we have to deal with the stresses and strains of day-to-day life. Jesus knew this about us. Just before He was betrayed by Judas, he prayed on our behalf. Here’s a short excerpt of the prayer in John 17 (GNT).
14 I gave them [your people] your message, and the world hated them, because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.15 I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One.
We’re called to be in the world, despite it hating us! Thanks to Jesus for understanding and praying for us. However, it’s also handy to remind ourselves that, as Christians, we’re not of this world anymore or believe in its values such as wealth, power and reputation. Thankfully, our time in this world is short, so let’s not make ourselves too comfortable whilst we’re here! When we prioritise God above all other things, he makes sure that we have all we need, plus we don’t need to conform to the world’s values anymore.
It’s so simple on paper, yet so hard to keep following. In the difficult times, this passage serves as a great reminder. Psalm 84 verse 10 (GNT):
One day spent in your Temple is better than a thousand anywhere else; I would rather stand at the gate of the house of my God than live in the homes of the wicked.