In the World, But Not of the World:

"What in the Hell Does That Mean"?

Are you like me?

I mean, did you come from a strong religious upbringing which teaches us to,

“Live in the world, but not be of the world” as in John 17:16/KJV?

 Or the teaching which states we should, ^“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever”. (1 John 2:15-17/KJV)?

And what about this one, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?  And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.¹⁸ And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Cor.6:14-18/KJV?

If so, then like me you often found yourself wondering,

“what in the hell does all this mean?”!

As a young adult easily influenced by my family, the church, and society, I was led to believe that this meant to refrain from all sorts of behavior or places which lent themselves to evil and/or sin. This includes not watching certain television programs (or television at all), reading books (other than the bible), going to the movies, parties or clubs, bars and anything else the “world” considers entertainment. Additionally, you must never be found in violation of the ten commandments outlined in the book of Exodus 20.

And though these are the things that we are taught (say that a few times), they most positively have been and are violated daily by most everyone (including the clergy) and on a fairly consistent basis.

After serving as a minister for ten years at local non-denominational church, I began to question many of the scriptures, teachings, doctrines, and behaviors of the so-called religious including myself. There were no answers to be found to satisfy the curiosity and frustration of my new mental processes, which required rationale and proof “as evidenced by”, thanks to a career in the medical field. As a result, I sought to find my own answers and the journey led me to sources beyond the traditional church.

Eventually, I encountered the dreaded “dark night of the soul” (there may be more than one).

Yes, the perfect life I had so carefully established, was crumbling right before my very eyes; in spite of my religious upbringing and servant lifestyle. As I lay on the floor prostrate; in total disbelief about the reality and finality of my situation; I still wholly believed in the healing power of a God I could not see and a mediator (Jesus) who had died for my sins (yet rose again on the 3^rd day) could not see him either.

"Talk about the Blind leading the Blind"

I laid there waiting for my midnight hour to pass, waiting for my joy in the morning, where I would somehow let my little light shine again, waiting for that still small voice to inform me that my latter would be greater than my past. It never came! I continued to lye on the floor drowning in the tears and suffocating from the secretions building up in my nose and throat and I desired death to relieve me of my pain and sorrow.

“Yes it was that bad” 

I know now that, I was dying, my spirit was dying, and eventually the physical death would follow suit as the life sustaining force dissipated from my body.

“Bitch! Get your ass up and live!

“What the hell? Who said that? I am still lying on the floor, though fully alert, and wondering, “Who or what just called me a bitch"?

You see, IAM clearly a woman of color (see my profile pic) and if you don’t know anything else about black girls, know this. B-I-T-C-H are spelling letters which create a FIGHT, between the one which cast the spell and the one who is the subject of the spell.

And Baby! I was damn sho ready to fight!

Suddenly, I realize there is no one in the room but me, so I jump to my feet, run to my bedside table, and grab my bible. I search for the following scripture as if being told to do so:

“He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal”. (John 12:25/KJV).

“WHOOMP! THERE IT IS!!!”

“Oh, My Fuckin Goodness! I Get It!”

Everything I had learned and experienced in life (up to and including that point) led me to that defining moment, seven years ago. It was never meant for me to love this life or this world, only to learn and experience it for what it is. Good, Bad or indifferent.

"All the same, but we will save that for another blog" 

For the first time, I understood, what it meant to be in the world, but not of the world and able to acknowledge that the two concepts exist simultaneously. You see my (our) spirit, that which is and gives life, is beyond this world, universe, galaxy and material existence.  While this (our) body, is that which serves as the vehicle to enable ME (us) to dwell on terra firma, mother earth, the world. The two will never become one, but instead must learn to function and operate materially as such.

Now! Following that Mindblowing revelation, this memorized scripture (words hidden in my heart) rang out loud and clear in my spiritual ears (fully opened and operable):

^“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. Romans 12:2/KJV).

"Oh Yeah! Now I remember!"

(In my Betty Wright voice, from the song, “Tonight is the Night")

You have to be at least 50 years old to understand that quote!

So now, let me break All it down for you (at least from my perspective).
Everyday is different from the next and everyday you are also different from the day before, without any effort on your part. With each experience, be it new, the same or otherwise, it automatically creates a level or form of change; and if, you are also learning something new, improved, or otherwise it creates even more change. No matter if anything else visibly changes (according to our vision with physical eyes), your mind and “minds” eye (3^rd eye) will be forever altered/changed, and therefore renewed, which lends itself to a spiritual transformation.

Now, here is the kicker. If, and when you allow yourself to APPLY the inner change which results from your everyday experiences, (TO YOU) it becomes WISDOM; the outward/external manifestation of the inward/internal spiritual transformation.

Simplified Example: You choose to walk down a particular street on the way to work or school. The first day you stumble over a crack in the sidewalk and break the heel of your shoe. The second day, you do the same thing, although you are aware (conscious) that the crack exist, you manage to stumble again (ruining another pair of shoes). The third day, you choose to wear a pair of flats, walk around the crack, walk on the opposite side of the street, choose a different street, drive, or don’t go to work/school at all to avoid stumbling.

"My Mother used to sing a song (in church) asking God not to remove her  stumbling cracks, rocks, blocks, or something;
but instead, to lead her All around them. Hmmm???"

Anyway, not choosing to make an alternate choice on the third day, could result in something much worse than a broken heel; such as a broken ankle or leg.

The point is, an ordinary experience with an unintended outcome (perceived as negative in this example) could and should result in a change of thinking and behavior.

Now, I’d call that “born again”, “renewed”, and “transformed”

This process further reflects and defines your ever evolving DIVINITY (unity between your spiritual body and your physical/material body). That which was divided appears unified, single minded versus double minded. The body no longer walks blindly, but is instead led by the Spirit!

“Come on and go with me somebody!”

It also serves as proof that you are not conforming to the world, you are consistently transforming into that BE-ing which is good, perfect, and acceptable to ALL(ah), God, Goddess, Spirit, Yahovah, Creator, Created, the All Knowing, Power, Divine Essence, Divine Energy, Divine Intelligence, and Source; which is, YOU!

I said ALL of that to say this…

On the days I want to throw in the towel, call it quits, and leave this place called earth; on the days, I could care less about politics, government, corporate america, healthcare, insurance, loans, debt, and money; on the days, I recognize that life truly is a mega game or no less than a lesson called illusion; I remind myself that if I stick with it, reach for the mark referred to as the “Calling”, the 33^rd Degree, Enlightenment, Crown Chakra, KRYSTOS, Crystal Palace, or Detachment AND desire “undesire”, I will never have to come back to this UniVersity.

So, who called me a bitch?

I have come to "INNERSTAND" that it was
My Higher Conscious, My Godhead-Goddess, My OverSoul,

My “Beautiful-Intelligent-Talented-Creative-Heaven” – I call her CeleXy!

Until Next Week,

 Shine, Radiate, Vibrate

rightly divining WHOLENESS!

If you like this blog post, leave a comment below and let me know!

You may also like this book from the Heaven's Mind Book Series

Also, be on the look out for SOLincognita in 2018!

www.amazon.com/author/celexydezign

www.celexydezign@hotmail.com