It’s hard enough to be ourselves around most people. Whether we like it or not, most of us care what people think about us. We want to be liked, and accepted, but sometimes it feels nearly impossible to be ourselves and to be appreciated by people..

That’s what makes the outward journey so difficult. Paul (the apostle) writes that being a follower of Jesus means we have to make some life decisions that the world may not like or appreciate*. And the thing is, it’s not about living a “holier-than-thou” life (that was never the point of Christianity), its about living a life that is holy (or set apart), in order to show the world what an incredible thing it is to be called one of God’s own.

The outward journey is a path that chooses mercy and forgiveness over an angry heart, a life that wants to be compassionate to those in need rather than greedy and selfish, a journey that discovers what “loving your neighbor” really means instead of only taking care of yourself.

It’s true; the world doesn’t get the outward journey.

But then again, that’s the point.

*For more on this, read Ephesians 4:14-31