Non-conformist part 1
This Rant series might seem a little bit "out there" but that's actually the point. Because I keep wondering why we try so hard to fit in when we were created to stand out! We've built this society where any little bit of individuality is looked at with scorn. "You aren't supposed to do that." Really? Maybe YOU aren't supposed to do that... but maybe I AM. And that right there is where we get into trouble. We listen to something--or someone--other than our hearts. Your heart is your compass, and it will never steer you wrong. But so many times we engage in this war of "the head vs. the heart." Where we think things have to "make sense." Where we think if we're not doing it the way everybody else is doing it, we're doing it wrong. Look at Romans 12:2, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Now normally I really focus on the being transformed part. The renewing of your mind part. But for the next couple of days I really want to dig in to the "be not conformed" part. And the first thing I want to say about it is: If Paul is warning us not to be conformed to this world... that means we've already escaped this world. Because he didn't say, "Get out of the world." He said, "Don't go back." Like when the people of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground, and then once they were through the water came back. They had to keep going forward. They couldn't go back the way they'd came. Now let's start with a word study, so we really know what we're talking about. "Conformed" is number 4964 in Strong's Greek Concordance at it means, "to fashion alike, that is, conform to the same pattern (figuratively) : - conform to, fashion self according to." And the word, "world," is number 165 in Strong's Greek Concordance. It means, "properly an age." The Message Bible renders Romans 12:2 like this, "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture arouund you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." This world, this age, this culture... it's not the be-all, end-all. It's temporary. Look at how different the world is than even five years ago. So, really, trying to "fit in" or conform, is futile. As soon as you think you know the answer, the question changes. And while you were trying so hard to fit in... you lost yourself. That special thing that made you, you. Your heart. When you stopped following your heart and started following the crowd you let yourself be dragged down. And you weren't created for that. You were created to shine. You are the light of the world! There are things that only you can do. And if you don't do them... who will? Nobody can be you, but you. And you can't be you if you're trying to be someone else. If you're trying to fit in. If you're trying to do what society tells you you're "supposed" to do. If you're trying to conform. Just because "everybody's" doing it doesn't mean it's right for you. You need to find what's right for you. And then you need to do that thing to the best of your ability. Because if you don't, you'll never enjoy life. And since life is everlasting, that's a long time to suffer... I believe people aren't happy because they don't follow their hearts. They don't listen to the mind of Christ. They conform...