Your Time in History and Place on Earth

Acts 17:26 says that God, “made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place.” Practically speaking, this means that God has placed you in this period of history on purpose. It is no accident that you’re living in the 21st century and not the 1st century. It also means that God has placed you in your neighborhood and in your school. It isn’t random chance that has located you where you are and not on the other side of the world.

Since God has been purposeful in placing us where He has, both historically and geographically, we should likewise be purposeful as we live in the specific context in which He has placed us. What is God’s purpose for you at this time in your specific location? Many passages could be considered, but 1 Peter 2:13-16 comes to mind first. If your school is a “human institution,” then I think there’s some great application here. Verse 15 says that God’s will specifically is “that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” There are unbelievers in your school who will criticize you for your faith. Your job is to silence them, but not in ways you might first think (e.g., winning debates). Verse 16 gives a clue as to how this is to happen: “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” You’ll be criticized for what you believe, but the authenticity of your faith should be seen in how you live. Your faith might continually be ridiculed, even as you live out your faith, but as far as your life is concerned, they’ll not be able to find any fault. In fact, according to verse 12, some accusers will see your lifestyle of “good deeds and glorify God” at the return of Christ. Your life of service to Christ could be the instrument that turns an accuser into a worshiper. This is an exciting prospect, and this is what God has called each of us to at this time in the history of the world and at this location on the globe.