“There, there it is, over towards the right on the top of that cliff in the distance”. I squinted and searched to see what she was pointing towards.  Ahh! Sure enough, there were the ruins of a thirteenth-century castle. “It’s only about 10 kilometers from the camp. Would you like to hike there with me?”

It was the summer I was turning 30, and I was in Slovakia for the second time to teach English as a second language in summer youth camps. Clearly I had no idea how far 10K was. Apparently none of my colleagues really grasped the idea either – at least not the terrain part of it. But who could resist such a fantastic thought! We arranged for any campers who wanted to hike over to join us the following afternoon. A bus in the village below would pick us up later and take us back to the camp.

Starting off was easy. The journey led us through a portion of a forest that looked right out of a story book. I soaked in everything about that forest. It was calming and peaceful, so beautiful!

I was amazed at how brilliant the kids in the camp were.  Their ages ranged from 13 to about 18. Walking with them was amazing.  They knew the name and kind of almost every tree and plant we passed and would tell us ways to make use of them – to eat, or for medicine, or to make things with. They knew the history of the castle and told stories of how it was abandoned and became ruins. I was both completely fascinated and humbled by their knowledge, drawn in and captivated by their culture, wondering what on earth I could ever possibly teach them.

The journey eventually led us out of the forest into meadows and hills that seemed to climb higher and higher. At times there was no real trail to follow, only a direction.  The more we climbed the more out of breath I became, and the hotter I got.  I could tell the kids were getting hot, too, and some of the girls began taking off their shirts and walking with just their bras on.  I remember turning to a senior teacher with a panic look on my face, wondering if we should do something about what I perceived as immodesty. Shaking her head “no”, I later understood that was a very natural and acceptable practice in their culture. We were not there to bring unnecessary shame.

“Oh miss Lisa, you have grasshoppers in your hair”, one of them was laughing and pointing, “and all over your shoe laces”!  We had stopped to take a rest.  My chest was heaving from being out of breath.  Sweat was pouring down my face.  I was so exhausted I sat down right where we were, which happened to be in a field full of these tiny little grasshoppers, and they were everywhere! Any other time and I likely would have been screaming!  But now, well, I just sat trying to catch my breath.

Finally we made it to the top of the cliff, and what once was a castle sprawled out before us. Wow, just wow! It was the first time I had ever seen such a thing, and it was marvelous! Yes, and so worth the 10K hike! Amazing and so much fun.

Not long ago I was speaking with a friend.  We were talking about what it meant to be in the world, not of it – a concept we learn from Jesus’ high priestly prayer found in John chapter 17. What does it mean, exactly?

I thought then of my time in Slovakia and other travels to foreign lands I had made. I reflected on how we spoke different languages and experienced different cultures, not like our own. I realized in that moment how, when our spirits are born again, we become citizens of God’s Kingdom – vastly different, attractive, and desirable.

Friends we once had, activities we once enjoyed, the language we once spoke, it all begins to feel different.  We’re no longer on the same page. We no longer enjoy the same things. We now speak the language of heaven.  We experience the culture of holiness and purity. People are drawn to us because we are a light, a candle in the darkness. Even our very fragrance is different – it is the fragrance of life and not death!

Within each nation on earth are members of God’s Kingdom who are a chosen people; a royal priesthood and His special possession who proclaim His excellencies (1 Peter2:9).  We are all living godly lives in the midst of pagan societies, even in here in the US, and as such we are in the world, but not of it.

Come, be a Sojourner with me!