Jesus calls us to be in the world, but we must never forget that this world is not our final home.  We are reminded of that every time we have pain or sorrow, because Scripture describes Heaven as a place where there are no more tears and no more pain.  The pain, sorrow, and sin we struggle with in this life are not waiting for us in our real home with God.

So why wait?  Because the longer we live on this earth in faith, the more we can show our love for God. Also, we are called to share the Word with others - to be God's arms and legs to this generation.  The short time we spend on this earth is like a drop of water in the ocean when compared with the eternity we will spend in Heaven.  It is going to be so incredible!  Never lose sight of the hope you have received!

Though we are called to be in the world, we are not called to be of the world. We are not supposed to become "worldly" beings.  In Romans, Paul warns us, "Do not be conformed by the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Simply put, he is challenging us to let God shape the way we think, not the world.

The world often sends conflicting messages.  It says that you should be yourself, but then it tells you how to be.  "Be an individual... but wear these clothes we're trying to sell to you and every one of your friends."  In truth, the world wants us all to be the same, but only in following God can we discover who we really are.  God, who is infinite, made us infinitely different.  Being holy doesn't make us cookie cutter replicas of each other.  Just look at the saints to see how wonderfully unique we can be while still being united in faith.

When John tells us not to "love the world," he is not talking about disrespecting the earth.  He's talking about not loving the things of this world more than we love God.  The possessions, popularity, and power we gain on earth will all pass away - yet we spend so much time trying to get them!  We must instead work to gain the everlasting treasures of our God and our faith.

Pray about what you are "attached" to in this world, and ask God to release you of those attachments. Pray to receive an eternal perspective, so that your focus will be on everlasting goals.