I’m finishing up The Bible Recap in my personal quiet time. Even though I’ve been a Christian for decades, I have never read the Bible chronologically. (Nor have I read it through in a year, which was my initial goal… but I’m currently about a month behind, so still 0 for 1 on finishing in a year. Oh well… #life.) 

Anyway, as I was reading through Hebrews a week or so ago, a phrase stood out to me like it was typed in big, bold letters. Tucked away at the end of the Hall of Faith chapter, after listing out the incredible, supernatural feats of faith and endurance by so many heroes of the faith, was this phrase… 

…of whom the world was not worthy…
Hebrews 11:38a

I know the Bible is full of poetry, but this particular passage feels especially rich in both power and sentiment. There once lived countless men and women, who gave their absolute everything for the cause of Christ… and their life was so remarkable and their faith so strong, that the world wasn’t even worthy of their presence.

Our Calling and Legacy

My pastor-husband has often been called upon to preach at funerals. Truly, preaching a funeral sermon is one of the hardest tasks as a pastor, yet it is such a meaningful ministry to families. Since I attend many of these funerals by his side, I get to hear the types of things that are said at Christian funerals. We often recount the character and godliness and impact of these saints, and it always causes me to reflect on my own life and what might be said at my funeral. What legacy will others say I left behind? 

But when I consider this phrase in Hebrews detailing the hall of faith members, I sometimes feel like my little ‘ol life might fall short of “of whom the world was not worthy” status! That’s some high praise. Yet… it’s the calling on each of our lives as children of the God of the universe. (Spoiler alert! He does the work… living like this is not something we do in our own strength!)

He didn’t just save us so we could live ordinary, worldly lives. In fact, he calls us to live differently than the world does. He calls us to be kingdom builders and culture breakers. 

Those are strong, bold words. Builders. Breakers. These are not passive words; to fulfill them requires intentionality and action. We cannot sit on the sidelines as believers and let life just happen to and around us. Rather, we are called to step into the ring, to raise the banner of Truth, to speak boldly, and to be willing to die for the cause of Christ. 

As a mom of teenage boys, my prayer for years is that God would help raise them up to be strong, kingdom warriors. I want them to know how to fight for and defend truth (especially in an era where absolute truth is hard to find outside of the Bible!). I want them to stand up for those who are weak and who need an advocate. I pray that they’ll make their mark on this world with their love, courage and faith. 

This is my prayer for myself as well. 

Another verse that describes this calling is Jesus’ prayer to the Father for His disciples. 

I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. 
John 17:14-17

Jesus is our example of the ultimate Kingdom builder and culture breaker.  And His expectation is the same for His children. 

Practical Ways We Live as Kingdom Builders & Culture Breakers

So what does this actually look like in everyday life? How can you and I live this out on a random Tuesday?! Being a Kingdom builder and culture breaker doesn’t always mean doing something loud or platformed. Often, it’s faithful obedience in ordinary places. And we see from this list that it means living opposite of the way that can seem normal in our world. 

Here are a few tangible ways we can live this calling out.

1. We build the Kingdom by choosing faithfulness over applause. The culture celebrates visibility, influence, and being noticed. The Kingdom celebrates obedience. When we choose integrity in our work, humility in leadership, and faithfulness when no one is watching, we quietly build something eternal. God sees, and that’s all that matters.
2. We break culture by refusing to conform our values to what’s popular. Culture constantly shifts—absolute Truth does not. We break culture when we lovingly stand firm on biblical Truth, even when it’s uncomfortable, misunderstood or costly. This might look like raising our children differently, guarding what we consume, or speaking truth with grace in hard conversations.
3. We build the Kingdom by loving sacrificially. The world says, “Protect yourself.” Jesus says, “Lay your life down.” When we show up for the hurting, advocate for the overlooked, forgive when it would be easier to walk away, and serve without expecting anything in return—we build the Kingdom one act of love at a time.
4. We break culture by living with eternal perspective. Culture is obsessed with now—now success, now comfort, now gratification. Kingdom builders live with eternity in mind. We steward our time, resources, and influence not just for this life, but for the one to come.
5. We build the Kingdom by saying yes to God, even when it stretches us. Sometimes Kingdom building looks like stepping into leadership, starting something new, mentoring another woman, attending a retreat or saying yes to healing work God wants to do in us. Growth is rarely comfortable—but it’s always purposeful.

Now What?