I work in a secular business. Not one person in my office is a born again Christian. In fact, "fundies" are made fun of by some. I don't care because I wouldn't trade Christ for their roller coaster lives, their fancy cars or their feeling of superiority in this world because He's so much bigger than all of that!
Everyone in my office is very "nice." They do and say "nice" things to each other. They treat others "nicely." It's enjoyable to come to work with a minimum of drama amongst my co-workers. There's no awkward situation or silences. We all get along and work as a team. I can chit chat with anyone in my office and we both enjoy it. I am well liked by all my co-workers.
Some of the people in my office are very good friends. They do things together after work and on weekends. They visit at each other's desks during down times. Some days I feel a little left out and find myself wishing I had a close friend here. Then I stop myself and think about it.
I was more accepted before people found out that my husband is a minister. There was a marked difference in how I was treated before and after that little fact came to the light. Then people found out that I was a fundamental believer of the Bible and that alienated even more people. Since most idle conversation in my office is about drinking or tv shows that I don't watch, that kind of leaves me at a loss to chat a lot. When people forget that I'm here and start talking about immoral topics, they eventually come to their senses and look to see if I'm paying attention. Once a group of them went off on Pastor's kids and all of the sudden realized that I had Pastor's kids and they felt bad. There were a few observations I wanted to interject into that whole conversation but I pretended not to notice.
Some people might think that I am not melting into their world enough. I, on the other hand, know that they have a certain amount of respect for me because of my beliefs-most of them anyway. My job is not to assimilate myself into their world. That's what I left when I accepted Christ! Why would I want to go back there? My job is to yank them out of their world and into mine!
The Bible says that "bad company corrupts good manners." Jesus ministered to the masses, but He spent most of His time with the 12. Sometimes I just have to stop, think and remember that I am not of this world. I'm not going to fit in. I DON'T WANT TO FIT IN! I know that their rejection of me is not because of me. It's because of Christ and His teachings. On those days when I'm not included in gossip, immoral speech, and pettiness I need to remember to rejoice! God is pleased with me! When the "nice" people are collaborating, I need to remember that although they may be "nice", they are still lost! My friendships are within His body and what a great group of friends God has given me! I am blessed.
Just every now and then I have to stop and think!