Being "in" the world but not "of" it

It's an expression we use a lot, I think.  We try to help one another by encouraging each other to live here, but live as if we are already in the Kingdom of Heaven.  The saints have a way of showing this to us.  

But for us, it seems difficult to grasp the concept.  I mean, I'm HERE, aren't I.  How can I be HERE in body, but not in spirit?  How can I project my spirit to a place where my body is not?

As I write, I do so from the lobby of a very nice hotel (no, not expensive, just 'nice') adjacent to the airport in Tokyo.  Sitting here, I "believe" that a business colleague is coming to collect me in about 30 minutes.  I "believe" that we will be driving to a place with which he is familiar.  I "believe" that he will deposit me in another suitable hotel for the night, where we'll prepare the efforts for the day ahead, and try to satisfy a secular customer of the business for which we both work.

And as I write, I come to recognize that my body is HERE, but my spirit is truly somewhere else.  For as a pastor, my heart is with my flock, with the people whom God has entrusted to my imperfect care.  I am a sinful man sitting 7000 miles from his sheep, and praying that my own Master will keep them from danger and harm while I am gone.

What a thing to pray!  For how can one pray in such a manner now, while the body is HERE, but the spirit is somewhere else?  How can prayers now be any different in fashion from those when the body is THERE, where the spirit is also?  Do I really think that it is by my own actions and care that said flock stays well and secure when my body is THERE simply because I am THERE?  Such a thought is utter foolishness!  For regardless of where my body is, those who belong to the Lord are His.  He shares their care with sinful men like me, and it is not until our bodies are HERE that we come to recognize the smallness of our being THERE in comparison with His divine care at all times, not only for the flock, but for the shepherd who cares for them.

It is in that recognition that one can find peace with being HERE, or in fact anywhere.  For all things are His, and happen according to His holy will.  All we can do is be faithful to remain focused on His teachings to us, His instructions for us, being thankful for all we receive, both blessings and strife, both health and sickness, both sadness and joy.  For in all things we can turn to Him and find Him.

Because He is HERE, no matter where HERE is!