The Father has loved us so much that we are called children of God. And we really are his children. The reason the people in the world do not know us is that they have not known him. 1 John 3:1

“Can’t people see what God says? It’s clearly writing in the Bible!”

NEWSFLASH. Not everyone reads the Bible. Not everyone believes the Bible is God’s Holy Word. Not everyone even believes God exists, and if they recognize any glimpse of God at all, it’s often a “Googled” God, where they’ve picked and chosen what they want to believe to be true about God. Who really wants to be uncomfortable with becoming humble, admitting you’re not in control, seeking and accepting who God is, trusting him, digging into Scripture and being changed by it, and obeying God and his Word, which requires uncomfortable and inconvenient change?

We can’t assume that just telling people what’s in the Bible is going to convict them to change their lifestyles. I’m not saying we shouldn’t share what’s in the Bible. We need to share whatever God says we’re supposed to share. And the way we know what and when and with whom to share is by knowing God. We can sometimes know the content of his Word well enough to quote it with verses appropriate for just about any situation, but that doesn’t mean God’s Word has permeated our lives and is pouring out of us. God’s Word only permeates our lives and pours out of us as we study and read it through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, then live it out loud with the same guidance. We live God’s Word out loud…and sometimes we use words.

God’s Word tells us we’re not going to be understood by everyone in the world, so why are we surprised? We feel isolated and ignored, misunderstood and mistreated, but the reality is we’re often playing a game of Sardines. In case you’ve never played, it’s a bit like Hide-and-Seek, but it’s played with a group of people who hide together while someone else tries to find the group. The group that’s hiding can have fun together, strategizing and communicating as quietly as possible, but (1) they’re in the dark and (2) they’re isolated as a group.

God doesn’t intend for us to stay in the dark, and he doesn’t intend for us to live isolated lives, even in groups. Meet God in his Word…but then live it out loud in the world. Meet with others to study and worship…but then live God’s truth and biblical community out loud in the world.

Don’t expect the world to change. Let God be in charge of you; invite him to change you. He’s in charge of the world, and he can change it in whatever timing he wants.