It's an interesting phenomenon.
God calls us from our life of darkness and brings us into his marvelous light. He heals us, empowers us, sets our feet on the paths of sanctification, and then sends us right back into the same places we were redeemed from - this time as people no longer swayed by those who sought to kill or destroy us but as mini-shepherds, gently leading those he has called from their darkness.
Some need to stay out of Egypt. For them, the powers of the gods yield too much power. Most of us are called to get back in the soup, so to speak. Not to continue in the death march of debauchery. But to walk along side with those parading to hell, offering love and another Parade route to those who know no better.
"Go, return to Egypt," the Lord told Moses. "For all the men who sought your life are dead." (Exodus 4:19, Septuagint)
Of course wisdom needs to be used in all aspects of life. Yet if we allow ourselves to be ruled by the same powers that ruled us before our conversion we are no better than idolators, compromising both the Scriptures and the power of God.
Go! Who knows their culture more than you do? Who knows the desperateness of their hearts more than you? You have been there and can speak life into the place - just as someone else spoke life to you when you were in that place. Go! Return in the power of the resurrection. Love them. Listen to them. Be about worshipping your God around them.
To be sure, you will be offended. You will hear words you long forgot. You will see behavior you've only heard about in popular movies. All the same, God in you is big enough for it. He sees this stuff everyday.
God calls us from our life of darkness and brings us into his marvelous light. He heals us, empowers us, sets our feet on the paths of sanctification, and then sends us right back into the same places we were redeemed from - this time as people no longer swayed by those who sought to kill or destroy us but as mini-shepherds, gently leading those he has called from their darkness.
Some need to stay out of Egypt. For them, the powers of the gods yield too much power. Most of us are called to get back in the soup, so to speak. Not to continue in the death march of debauchery. But to walk along side with those parading to hell, offering love and another Parade route to those who know no better.
"Go, return to Egypt," the Lord told Moses. "For all the men who sought your life are dead." (Exodus 4:19, Septuagint)
Of course wisdom needs to be used in all aspects of life. Yet if we allow ourselves to be ruled by the same powers that ruled us before our conversion we are no better than idolators, compromising both the Scriptures and the power of God.
Go! Who knows their culture more than you do? Who knows the desperateness of their hearts more than you? You have been there and can speak life into the place - just as someone else spoke life to you when you were in that place. Go! Return in the power of the resurrection. Love them. Listen to them. Be about worshipping your God around them.
To be sure, you will be offended. You will hear words you long forgot. You will see behavior you've only heard about in popular movies. All the same, God in you is big enough for it. He sees this stuff everyday.
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