Kendall the Fire

Maybe you’ve noticed that there is a lot of talk about alien encounters these days. Netflix, The History Channel, The Science Channel, Apple TV+, National Geographic, and Amazon Prime are just some of the broadcast platforms that have gotten in on the act of producing content about aliens. You might find it strange, but I hope everyone I come into contact with on a daily basis has an “alien encounter.”  But, of course, I’m not talking about space ships or little green men. I hope the “alien” they encounter is me.  That’s because—as a Christ follower—I am to be an alien and stranger in this world.  Let me see if I can unpack this a bit.   

From the beginning of Christianity, believers have been challenged to see our present existence as temporary and fleeting. We are not to become so settled in this world that we begin to forget that our main focus should be one our future and heavenly home. However, the truth is, many have become very comfortable in this world. If not careful, we become extremely self-reliant. We start to think that we know best and we are in control.

We consider this world to be the “real world” and it is concrete. Contemporary culture, especially in the west, has even been described as “death-denying.” However, believers from bygone eras would say with Paul, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Cor. 5:1). And, furthermore we read: “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Hebrews 13:14).  Finally, Paul says in Philippians, “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Phil. 3:20).

Most definitely, living with a constant awareness of these realities should make us stand out from the crowd. After all, James the Apostle writes, “What do you know about tomorrow? How can you be so sure about your life? It is nothing more than mist (vapor, fog) that appears for only a little while before it disappears” (James 4:14).

On the other hand, I think we should be different in good way. I’ve heard people say before that when people outside the church look at us oddly or think we are weird, that’s cool, because we are a “peculiar” (King James Version) people. That’s….not what this means. I mean, I guess it could, but that’s not the primary point. It means we ought to feel like strangers in this world in the sense that we don’t belong here. This world (and this country America) is not our true, eternal home. When we are in tune with the Holy Spirit we can feel it. We know our perspective is different from people around us when we are looking at the world through the lens of the Bible.

I’ve also felt strongly that “differentness” in a spiritual sense in places like New Orleans. As much as I loved soaking in the history and the vibe of Creole culture, there was an uneasiness in me as I traveled in parts of the city… like when I walked past the voodoo shops or, when I observed the casual celebration of all kinds of sin. I’ve had the same kind of uneasiness in Las Vegas. I wonder if you have, too.

More personally, over the years I’ve had moments of conviction when God made it clear to me that I was living with clouded judgment. I was living my life in a way that reflected too much comfort with the values and ideals of my own culture. I was living as if I was very much at home in the world rather than an alien and stranger. For example, when my focus on “stuff” has been much more important than it should be… when my life priorities—that is to say—what I value most is standing in conflict with biblical values… it’s then I know I have gotten off-track. I could go on and on. The Holy Spirit has given me plenty of opportunities to see the war that is being waged for my soul.

Nevertheless, when it comes to embracing our alien identity, I think we need to consider the three things one pastor (Anthony Weber) has challenged us to do in order to move more deeply into the holiness to which we are called. First, OWN IT (to avoid compromising our life and our allegiance). Second, CULTIVATE IT (so we remember we are always to be ‘set apart’ for God’s purposes). Finally, USE IT (to motivate us toward loving engagement with those around us who are oblivious to the transient nature of world we live in).

Consider what Peter said: “But you are a chosen people, set aside to be a royal order of priests, a holy nation, God’s own; so that you may proclaim the wondrous acts of the One who called you out of inky darkness into shimmering light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received it. Beloved, remember you don’t belong in this world. You are resident aliens living in exile, so resist those desires of the flesh that battle against the soul. Live honorably among the outsiders so that, even when some may be inclined to call you criminals, when they see your good works, they might give glory to God when He returns in judgment.”  ~ 1 Peter 2:9-12