The online dictionary defines an out of body experience as “a sensation of being outside one’s own body, typically of floating and being able to observe oneself from a distance.” Yesterday, I was so blessed to be back at home and worshipping with my beloved church family. As per usual, I was filled with warmth and love while standing in the midst of my brothers and sisters in our Worship Choir, and was deeply affected by the words spoken by our Pastor.

So often we hear the sage words that we are to be “in the world” and not “of the world.” Along those same lines, our Pastor was making a point about how different our lives might be if we were able to maintain an awareness of our true identity. He pointed out that when we have our identity wrapped up our jobs, in our clothes, in our supposed social status, or even in another person, we are unable to maintain peace and joy because all of those things are ethereal and can easily be taken away from us. However, what cannot be taken from us is our true identities as children of God and believers in Christ. In the sermon, he went on to discuss the power Jesus held in His battle with the devil…Jesus KNEW who He was, and it was in that knowledge that He had His real strength.

Then Jesus was led by the [Holy] Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After He had gone without food for forty days and forty nights, He became hungry. And the tempter came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But Jesus replied, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.'” Then the devil took Him into the holy city [Jerusalem] and placed Him on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple. And he said [mockingly] to Him, “If you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You [to serve, care for, protect and watch over you]’; and ‘They will lift you up on their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'” Jesus said to him, “On the other hand, it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall not test the Lord your God.'” Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory [splendor, magnificence, and excellence] of them; and he said to Him, “All these things I will give You, if You fall down and worship me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go away, Satan! For it is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only.'” Matthew 4:1-10 AMP

With each and every temptation, Satan was trying to get Jesus to question His identity. But with each attempt, the Son of God maintained the knowledge and certainty of that identity, and in doing so, was able to resist every temptation. As I was sitting there listening in church, it came to my mind that what we all need to do is live our lives as a sort of “out of body” experience. The lives we are living here on earth are temporary. When we invest all of our hearts and souls in what happens in, around, and to us during this life, we will always lose sight of our true identity.

Another way to look at it is that we are living the most significant, massive multiplayer online role-playing game ever. I mean, think about it…our spirits belong elsewhere, and we are here, controlling these earthly bodies, interacting with other players, and constantly trying to reach the next level (in whatever way that means to each person individually). But, much like it is with the online role-playing games, when our online persona is hurt or mortally wounded, it doesn’t mean our real selves suffer the same fate. There is still life beyond the game. While there are significant holes in this analogy, I’m sure you get my point.

We cannot be so invested in what happens in the “game” that we lose sight of living life as our true selves. There must be a certain amount of disconnect…an ability to observe our own lives from a distance, and thus keep them in the proper perspective. The only way what happens to us in this life will affect us eternally, is if we get so wrapped up IN the world that we become OF the world, and cease to live our lives IN Christ. Take time to read some of the vast multitude of scriptural references to who we are IN CHRIST. Particularly in the book of Galatians. This is a place where we really see the shift in focus away from the need to live by the Law of Moses, instead living our lives for salvation IN CHRIST.