Don't let the world change you, you change the world!

 Matthew 10:16

 “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.

A few things to note from this bible verse. One, that God is sending us to the world. We all know that we are made different from one another, with special qualities that God deposited in us, for His plans and purposes that He will fulfill in and through our lives. So, where God has positioned you, know that it is no coincidence, there's a purpose you are fulfilling. Two, We are the sheep that is amongst wolves. We exhibit the qualities of our Father, being kind, compassionate, considerate, helpful, loving, patient etc. as we have adopted those from the One who created us. However, not everyone is a sheep like us, there are wolves, ready to devour anyone who isn't suspecting, someone who is too trusting and blind. This means, we need to go through whatever we are going through with our eyes wide open, as there might be some sheep like us but definitely there are wolves too. Intentions are not the same. The third thing to note is that God cautions us to be wise as serpents but be innocent or gentle as doves. Tricky one, but that's how we should be. We need to be a step ahead of the devil, be able to see his plots miles away and act accordingly. But that doesn't mean that we must act like them, connive, backstab and stuff, no; we still need to maintain our innocence.

What stood out for me, when the children of Israel as they were about to enter the promise land, God reminded them that they must not worship the gods of those that they will meet or are in the land they were possessing; meaning they still need to remain pure and innocent as they were by themselves. This is true for us too, we must not let the world change us, corrupt us and convince us that this is how things are done, no! We now know better, we know God is for us, and orchestrating our future, every step we take, is guided by Him. Therefore, we don't need to let our integrity fly out of the window, now that we do business with the wolves (for example). Let the world change and find Christ through you, through your actions and what you stand for. God's will is to put you on a stand, as light (in the world that is in darkness), so that they may be drawn towards you because of the One who lives in you. Let's get this clear, we must not allow the world to change us, but we must change the world, so they may find Christ through us!