“Don’t you know that flirting with the world’s values places you at odds with God? Whoever chooses to be the world’s friend makes himself God’s enemy!” (James 4:4 TPT)
Holiness is unpopular. Why? Because it sets one apart from the world. Admiration from our fellow humans provides an instant hit of pleasure. It is addictive. We follow the hordes down the path of darkness, because we want to fit in and be accepted. Popularity requires conformity to the world’s value system while sanctity calls for resistance to it.
We look at the world and agree that things are not as they should be. It is what it is...nothing we can do about it. We shrug our shoulders and go about distracting ourselves with worldly pursuits--mistaking this for the good life.
“We must not fear the darkness; we must simply resolve to carry light into wherever we are. The call to discern the difference between what is holy and what is simply popular, between what is and what should be, is of the essence of the good life.” (The Time is Now by Joan Chittister)
Progressive sanctification requires intentional practice. Contemplation brings some clarity. Discerning the difference between what is holy and what is popular, between God’s will and human agenda, between what is and what should be--this is our spiritual quest. The courage to resist conformity, to carry light into the darkness--this is our sacred purpose.
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