When you think about it, being called a “man of the world” is quite the put down.
The diving bell spider, or argyroneta aquatica (but you already knew that), lives its life at the bottom of the pond. It manages this feat by breathing air bubbles that cling to the hairs on its legs, and in such manner spends its days very much in the water, even though it is not really of it. For without the oxygen supply from above, it would quickly die.
Now, consider another creature–the Christian, a member of the body of Christ. Three verses speak volumes about where we belong: “Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God (Col 3:2-3),” “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6),” and “For in him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28a).”
The conclusion is unmistakable. We, like the diving bell spider, are not in our natural element. We are in this world, but no longer of it. Call us hominis non de mundus. I like that. I don’t know if it’s the proper Latin translation, but I do know that it’s the ultimate compliment.
I hope this encourages you to act other-worldly today.
-Kevin Murray
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