“Every place the sole of your foot treads will be yours” (Deut. 11:24).

The idea that some places are sacred while others aren’t is not supported by the Bible nor by Jesus’ example. Wherever the Israelites went became holy ground. Because they were consecrated, the land—even that which was inhabited by heathens—became consecrated as well.

We mustn’t insist that every thing and every place is either secular or Christian, good or bad. Life can’t be so tidily categorized and labeled. Depending on our circumstances, such thinking can cause pride, condemnation, and/or confusion.

Sometimes, life throws us into dicey situations: you agree to attend an old friend’s wedding and then discover it’s in a less than reputable place. Do you turn up your nose at “those sinners” at the risk of permanently damaging the friendship?

If you abide in God, His presence will go with you. Once this truth is deeply rooted within you, everywhere you go, you’ll carry yourself with neither pride nor fear, but with humility and confidence.

Today, if you find yourself in a controversial environment or surrounded by “questionable” people in the name of service and love, be certain that the Lord won’t abandon you. In fact, if He were with you in the flesh, Jesus (who lived His everyday life with prostitutes, Samaritans, and other riffraff) might well lead the way.

Remember that when “many tax collectors and sinners came as guests to eat with [Him] and His disciples” (Matt. 9:10), the Pharisees were appalled, but for Jesus, it was all in a day’s work.