In Not Of

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love.” – Francis of Assisi

Without a foundation, roots, an anchor to a power and presence so much more immense than we can imagine, we are easily moved by the world. Tossed about by the storms, drifting aimlessly, lost.

We need to be in the world, but not of the world. To wake up every day, witness the worst of the world through the media and in our daily walk, and still choose hope and optimism. To stay soft when anger tries to harden us. To forgiven and let go. To let our heart trump our head. To release judgment and accept the grace of a peace that passes all understanding that has overcome the world. To be kind, when kindness is not extended in return. To simply, like a child, accept an unending unexplainable joy.

With God as the vine and each of us as the branches, we are called to fearlessly and confidently move out into the middle of a relentless and cynical world to cast love and light. The branches will be pulled, pushed, stretched and worn but never defeated or broken when rooted in the Vine.

In not of.