The Ins and Outs of It

 

John Fischer was a pioneer of what is now called Contemporary Christian Music, having written a lot of songs that a lot of teenage Christians sang around a lot of campfires.

He not only wrote songs, but for many years wrote a "last page of the magazine" monthly article for CCM. Several of those articles found their way into book form in 1988's Real Christians Don't Dance!.

One of the most memorable pieces in the book is a poem titled "The Ins and Outs of It":

"In it, not of it," the statement was made
As Christian One faced the world, much afraid
"In it, not of it," the call was made clear,
But Christian One got something stuck in his ear.
"Not in it, or of it" was the thing that he heard.
And knowing the world was painfully absurd,
He welcomed the safety of pious retreat,
And went to the potluck for something to eat.

Now Christian Two, he knew what to do,
He'd show those fundies a thing or two!
How will the world ever give Christ a try
If we don't get in there and identify?
So "In it, and of it," he said in his car,
As he pulled in and stopped at a popular bar.
"I'll tell them the truth as soon as I'm able
To get myself out from under this table."

Now along comes Christian Three jogging for Jesus
In witnessing sweats made of four matching pieces.
His earphones are playing a hot Christian tune
About how the Lord is coming back soon.
"Not in it, but of it," he turns down the hill
And stops for a bite at the Agape Grill.
Like the gold on the chain of his "God Loves You" bracelet,
He can have the world without having to face it.

While way up in heaven they lament these conditions
That come from changing a few prepositions.
"Not in it, or of it," Christian One thought.
But who in the world will know that he's not?
"In it, and of it," thought Christian Two.
But who in the world will know that he knew?
"Not in it, but of it," thought Christian Three.
But who in the world watches Christian TV?

And Jesus turns to Gabriel, shaking His head.
"'In it, not of it,' wasn't that what I said?"

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

Truth is...This is all based on John 17, when Jesus was praying about his disciples and said, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it."

For us to be the answer to the prayer of Jesus, we need to be present as a contributing part of our earthly reality, engaged and engaging, but not fall in love with the foul and shallow trappings of a fallen worldview.

Like John said in First John 2: "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world  —  the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life  —  comes not from the Father but from the world."