For M

In our first conversations, we talked about how Christians should engage the world, the extent to which and how we should interact with secular culture. I wanted you to draw me lines. I wanted you to justify my indulgence in the things of the world. Certainly, it could be justified -- "know thine enemy" and all that.

I've been thinking a lot about this in the past year, and I've come to a kind of conclusion, though how it should work out in practice I'm still unsure. 1 John is quickly becoming one of my favorite books -- there is such a pastoral tenderness in John's tone. In chapter three, he writes, ". . . for we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure." If I hope to see Him as He is, then I will purify myself. It seemed so very simple to me after reading that. And it's not a matter of making rules or even drawing lines, but a matter of focus. I have to remind myself of this continually, but I could spend my entire life worshiping, loving, serving, and learning about God, and if every spare moment is devoted to this, I can't see a better use for that time. This is what is commanded of us, and everything else is in God's hands. I used to wonder if such, um, "insularity" would be a detriment to my witness -- but, how could it be if I'm obeying God? Though it reduces to such a simple solution, it's really not any easier to follow, although the path is much clearer. It only makes it that much more obvious when one has transgressed.