The Mirror of the Word by C.E. White can be purchased here: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Word-Devotions-Reveal-Refine/dp/B0DFZS83C7  To learn more about this author and other works, visit https://cewhitebooks.com/

“I have given them your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them away from the evil one.”

—John 17:14–15

“I am not of this world.” We often look at that verse and think of the things it keeps us from—our necessary separation from many of the things the world tells us are good or fun.

But the truth of this verse is that we can look at it and think, “What a relief!” To not be embroiled in the cares and toils, the scrambling to get ahead, or the backbiting and selfishness is a supreme gift the Lord has given us.

We are still in this world, and those things still exist, but we do not have to become entangled in them. When we walk with the Holy Spirit, we can allow ourselves to be hated without care or concern, just as Jesus did. We can live this life without worrying whether we will become successful or achieve the milestones society tells us are necessary. The cares and toils, the scrambling to get ahead, and the backbiting and selfishness may be all around us, but we do not have to be “of” them, because we are not of this world.

May the Lord keep us from the evil one indeed, that we not be turned away from him by affliction or dragged back into the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches (Matthew 13:18–23). We can live in rest, peace, and hope no matter the trials or what we lack.

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