Set Apart
I grew up in the church. I was one of those people who attended from the time I was conceived to today. I was a pastor’s daughter and there were rules!
As a pastor’s daughter, I was expected to keep the rules. I was to set an example for every other child or young person in the church. By living by these rules, the world would know that I was a Christian, that I was set apart and I would most definitely be going to heaven.
So, here are the rules, just so you get the picture:
You do not drink alcohol. I know in some parts of the world this is still very much the case.
You didn’t smoke. Well, I was just never interested in smoking, as it smelt disgusting. Plus, we knew then that it was bad for you and today we know exactly how bad it is.
You didn’t go to the cinema. To this day, I have no idea why this was a rule. Nevertheless, it was a rule.
We didn’t watch television on a Sunday. I am still not sure whether this was a rule or something we did as a family. My Sunday’s were mainly getting up, going to church and then Sunday school. We came home for a roast lunch. After cleaning up, we went to bed for a couple of hours to get up and go back to church.
There was no dancing or listening to music, except worship music.
I had my head covered in church services. Yep, I wore a hat, beret or crotched doily on my head (please feel free to ask more!).
I wore a dress or a skirt. Trousers or jeans on a Sunday were never allowed.
There was no wearing make-up; I didn’t have my ears pierced; we did not dye our hair, and what can I say about tattoos?
But these were the rules, and I lived by them. I was a GOOD girl.
I clearly remember having a conversation with someone in the church, who I am sure meant well and to be an encouragement, based on these ‘rules’ and the expectation of being a pastor’s kid. In this conversation, they highlighted that all the above set me apart.
Fast forward to nowadays, I am, like many of you, looking at the world with bemusement at the current time. (Coronavirus 2020)
The world is crazy, confused, frightened, brave and intense all at the same time. We are seeing communities come together to look after the lonely, the sick, the vulnerable and the poor.
We are watching neighbour looking after neighbour, no creed, colour or religion dividing the streets or towns. There are acts of kindness and compassion everywhere. Many of which are led by the church in local communities. Your church. My church. But church people, like you and me.
Right now, in the world, we are seeing so, so much good. Some of you may even be on the receiving end of that goodness and all those good people in our communities.
We are seeing a response to our circumstances that most of our generation has never before seen. It is quite right as a group of believers that we rise to meet the needs presented before us, to feed the hungry and provide for those who require help.
Yet in all the hustle and bustle of our new temporary way of life, I hear the Holy Spirit whisper a question,
“what sets you apart?”
In Mark 10:17-18, it says:
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good – except God alone.”
I don’t want to be known for being ’good’. I want to be known for being godly.
In this series of blogs, I want to explore with you what it is to be set apart.
I have an urgency in this time to see people come to know Jesus. I want to see people encounter God like never before. I dream of transformation in lives and across cities. But we must recognise that there is a difference between being good and godly.
written by Lois Evans