An Island in the World

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col. 3:2 ESV)

There’s a common admonition among Christians, to “be in the world but not of the world,” but you may wonder what, exactly, this means. Does it mean we don’t engage the world, that we avoid anyone and anything that doesn’t align with the values of our faith? Do we shelter our families, especially our children, by avoiding interaction with the mainstream culture? Do we censor television and the internet? Do we avoid the partying next-door neighbors?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, part two, section VI, describes the “domestic church” this way:

Christ chose to be born and grow up in the bosom of the holy family of Joseph and Mary. The Church is nothing other than “the family of God.” From the beginning, the core of the Church was often constituted by those who had become believers “together with all [their]household” (Acts 18:8). When they were converted, they desired that “their whole household” should also be saved. These families who became believers were islands of Christian life in an unbelieving world.

I have a particular affinity for islands–I think it’s the uniqueness of island culture and life that draws me in. An island is separate from the mainland, existing unto itself, but it is still part of the land to which it belongs. I’ve been to a fair number of islands in my travels, and all of them captivated me. They were worlds apart and yet not apart. They tend to offer much that is of intrinsic value: natural beauty, a slower pace of living, small communities in which everyone knows everyone, local businesses instead of national chains.

I like the idea of the Christian household as an island in an unbelieving world. I like the idea of being a safe harbor, a place of respite. And I think that’s what Christ intended.

The Catechism goes on to say,

In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith.

To be “in the world but not of the world,” I believe, means we reach out with the gospel but resist being sucked in by the allure of the world’s ways. We welcome others to our island, but rather than taking what they offer of the world, we offer them what we have, which is not of the world–the peace and love and grace that is Christ Jesus in us.

To continue reading, join me over at The Glorious Table.