“If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” – John 15:19

If you’re in the US reading this now, you’ve got it pretty lucky. Or, better yet, you’re pretty blessed. After all, when the world rears it’s ugly head and lashes out at you for standing up for your faith, it might cost you some cool points but it doesn’t cost you your life. For many teenaged Christ-followers around the world, taking a stand with Christ means risking their life. The hatred the world shows them is true hate. Hateful hate.

But does that make the ridicule or the torment you face because of your faith any less real? No. It doesn’t.

Here’s the deal: In His sovereignty, God chose for you to be born and raised exactly where you were. He chose this path for you. God chose for you to live where you live because He wanted to you use to impact the culture you’re surrounded by. And if you truly take up His call to be the person who impacts culture, you will most definitely run into the world’s hate. And while it might not be as bad as it is in other parts of the world, it’s still hate. And it still hurts.

But if you find yourself constantly on the defense of your relationship with Christ, guess what? You’re doing it right! You’re living your life as a child of God. And by doing so, you’re living exactly as Jesus commanded you to live. Which is a pretty cool place to be.

The world isn’t your friend. But that’s OK. God has claimed you as His. And that’s pretty much all that matters.