Learning the Hard Way

This last year has been like a roller-coaster ride for me.  I don't like roller coasters.  The praise in it is that I have learned so much about God, myself and those around me. 

Even today, I was talking out loud to John (I say to people that I can't even think unless I am speaking!) and something transversed during our conversation that I later realized is yet another lesson I am learning.  Throughout my journey as a follower of Christ, I have done (or not done) many things such as reading my Bible every day, not getting drunk, taking my thoughts captive, not listening to secular music, etc. 

All these things are good things to do or not to do respectively, however, I noticed in not doing some of them, a new issue was being created.

To fully explain it, let me take a step back.  About a month ago, I got a job as a barista at our local Starbucks.  It has been life-saving in so many ways that I might have to write a blog about that!  I have met many new people, all of whom I enjoy working with very much.  One thing I have noticed however, is that beyond work, there is not a whole lot to relate about.  You might be thinking that this is hardly a problem since I am not there to make a new bff, but hear me out.  I am also a Pastor.  Along with some of the other duties, one expectation is that I am meeting new people and being able to relate to them on a level that allows for relationship.  Besides this being my first expeience outside of the home for the last nine years, I realized that maybe even more than "being a Christian," I have been secluding or sheltering myself from the "world."  And, all this sheltering, has actually caused me to be un-relatable. 
So, I am now re-evaluating what it means to be in the world but not of the world.  And I think I am better for it.  You know, you cant be an influence to the unbeliever if you cant even begin to relate....