Because of my new job I was in Auckland all of last week. I can honestly say it was one of the most challenging weeks of my life. In addition to the challenges of work, weather, sickness, and even earthquakes I was thrust into a completely foreign environment. Foreign as in 100% non-member. I don't want to sound discriminating, but the people I work with, though they are fantastic people, are not members. Their language and conversation leaves a lot to be desired, most of them smoke, and after work I was the only one that wasn't drinking. For the first time I had the opportunity to say "no thanks, I'm mormon". And yes, I say opportunity because I think that everyone should have a chance to do that. There is a strength that comes to you when you are on your own. A sense of surety that comes when you know people are watching you. And yes, they are watching. And sure enough, by the end of the week, people had, miraculously, stopped swearing almost completely, everyone that I had said "no thanks, I don't drink" to admitted to me the wisdom in my choice, and in some cases, even put down their own beers.
Now I understand what it means to be 'in the world but not of the world'. Those who were at seminary graduation may recall these words - we must be tight like unto a dish, don't let the evils of the world get in. Tight like unto a dish. Now I understand.
So how did I handle this situation? Well like I said, it was one of the most challenging weeks of my life. But from this challenge in particular, I have grown so much. And now, I appreciate the power that an example can have. The power that I have. And with that, the responsibility to share that what makes me so different.
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