I read that phrase a few weeks ago and it has stuck with me. Although not the first time I had heard that statement, I think even more today we need to be actively challenging things.
Why do you do the things you do? Have you ever wondered that? How much of our days are consumed with doing things the way they have always been done? Do we question the "normal" stuff or just go about our usual busyness?
Now, to be honest, I've been called a rebel more than once, go figure. That label has not been used in an unkind way or because I have done "bad" things. On the contrary, I usually get called that because I have stepped out of the box of what is expected: the change of a church home, pulling my children out of traditional schooling, not wanting my children involved in an organized youth program, etc. Things that we never question, we just do them and don't even think about it.
If we truly want to follow God's leading, there will be times that He calls us to do things that are contrary to the norm. Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. That's a hard one to wrap our minds around, it's contrary to our culture. And our comfort zone!
In Romans 12:1-2 it says, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (ESV). We must test the things we do and think about, even if that means going against the flow. If we test everything against the scriptures and have a book, chapter and verse for everything we do, we may look weird to the outside world but we will be on the mark with God.
So what ways do you challenge the status quo? Look around at what you do and ask yourself "Why?" It might be interesting to see what you come up with!
2 comments:
I agree. I sometimes struggle with this. I am diligently working on it though. I homescool my children and have been feeling very guilty latley because they have not been able to be in any sports this year yet. We go to a big church though and my oldest daughter is in 4H. I know I shouldn't feel guilty...I guess it's just one of those worldly things that pull at me.
Thanks for stopping by, Steph! It is hard to go against the flow, but in the end, we will not be answering to this world. We will have an Audience of One and that One is far more important than anything else!
No regrets!
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