An Island in the World

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Col. 3:2 ESV)

There’s a common admonition among Christians, to “be in the world but not of the world,” but you may wonder what, exactly, this means. Does it mean we don’t engage the world, that we avoid anyone and anything that doesn’t align with the values of our faith? Do we shelter our families, especially our children, by avoiding interaction with the mainstream culture? Do we censor television and the internet? Do we avoid the partying next-door neighbors?

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, part two, section VI, describes the “domestic church” this way:

Christ chose to be born and grow up in the bosom of the holy family of Joseph and Mary. The Church is nothing other than “the family of God.” From the beginning, the core of the Church was often constituted by those who had become believers “together with all [their]household” (Acts 18:8). When they were converted, they desired that “their whole household” should also be saved. These families who became believers were islands of Christian life in an unbelieving world.

I have a particular affinity for islands–I think it’s the uniqueness of island culture and life that draws me in. An island is separate from the mainland, existing unto itself, but it is still part of the land to which it belongs. I’ve been to a fair number of islands in my travels, and all of them captivated me. They were worlds apart and yet not apart. They tend to offer much that is of intrinsic value: natural beauty, a slower pace of living, small communities in which everyone knows everyone, local businesses instead of national chains.

I like the idea of the Christian household as an island in an unbelieving world. I like the idea of being a safe harbor, a place of respite. And I think that’s what Christ intended.

The Catechism goes on to say,

In our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith.

To be “in the world but not of the world,” I believe, means we reach out with the gospel but resist being sucked in by the allure of the world’s ways. We welcome others to our island, but rather than taking what they offer of the world, we offer them what we have, which is not of the world–the peace and love and grace that is Christ Jesus in us.

The apostle Paul repeatedly exhorted the churches to which he wrote to do exactly this:

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

I want to be this kind of island in the world: a safe place for those who come through my door, whether other weary Christians or unbelievers, whether members of my family or people I’ve only just met. I want to offer warmth and hospitality of the kind that comes from filling my mind with the things of God, the kind that comes from knowing the full gift of the gospel and wanting others to experience that gift.

It’s a hard calling sometimes. What the world has to offer frequently looks sparkly and exciting, and the lights of the mainland often seem brighter. When it feels this way, I remind myself to light my own lamps and settle into the peace I have found here, on my island in the world.

Harmony Harkema has loved the written word for as long as she can remember. A former English teacher turned editor, she has spent the past twelve years in the publishing industry. A writer herself in the fringe hours of her working-and-homeschooling mom life, Harmony has a heart for leading and coaching aspiring writers. She is the owner of The Glorious Table and cohost and producer at The Relatable Homeschoolers podcast. Harmony lives in West Michigan with her husband and two daughters. You can find her at HarmonyHarkema.com and on Instagram @harmonyharkema.

Photograph © Tom Winckels, used with permission