Don’t Let the World Talk You Silly

Well, hush my mouth and pass the hot, buttered cornbread ‘a-drippin’ with sorghum molasses. Now, pull you up a rocker on this here porch, sugarplum, ‘cause we’re ‘bout to stroll through some truth that will be ‘a-blessin’ your socks off and ‘a-ticklin’ your funny bone at the same time.

Weavin’ in real smoothly like honey-butter slidin’ on a hot biscuit, Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Then, 1 John 2:15 lets on, “Do not love the world or anything in the world.”

Now before you go to thinkin’ God wants you to hate sunsets, puppies, or that one tree in your yard that leans like it is ‘a-ponderin’ life, let me clear that up. John was not ‘a-fussin’ about dirt or people. Bless your heart, we all are ‘a-knowin’ better than that ‘cause God done made the dirt, and God done sent His Son, Jesus, to go and die for the people.

The real problem here is that sneaky ol’ world system. That “look‑at‑me”, “look‑what‑I‑got”, “look‑who‑I‑am” nonsense that struts around like a barnyard rooster who is ‘a-thinkin’ he done invented crowin’. And right here is where Romans 12:2 fits like overalls on a farm boy. It says not to be conformed to this world. In other words, “Buttercup, do not let the world squeeze you into its goofy mold.”

The world system is driven by three things. The lust of the flesh, which is wantin’ what feels good no matter what is right. The lust of the eyes, which is wantin’ what looks good no matter what it costs. And the pride of life, which is wantin’ to be somebody even if you done gotta step all on folks like a chicken ‘a-steppin’ on June bugs. None of that meanness comes from the Father. That there comes straight from the world’s bargain bin of bad ideas.

So, the real question is, which world are you ’a- lovin’? God’s world that fills you up, or the world’s system that leaves you emptier than a hollow stump after a family of raccoons moves out? The world and all its shiny distractions are ‘a-passin’ away faster than a squirrel ‘a-skitterin’ across a tin roof, but whoever does the will of God is gonna be ‘a-livin’ forever.

Lord, help us quit lovin’ the wrong world. Keep our hearts from ‘a-chasin’ after things that leave us emptier than a feed bucket after a hungry goat done got loose. Be ‘a-fillin’ us with Your joy, Your peace, and Your values. Be ‘a-teachin’ us to love what You love and walk in Your ways. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Well, I reckon that there is enough porch talk for one day. Now you go on out there, keep your eyes ‘a-lookin’ up at Jesus, and be ‘a-stayin’ clear of that world system. It is sneakier than a raccoon with a college degree in mischief, but the Lord will keep you steadier than a mule ‘a-standin’ in clover if you let jus’ Him.

With joy,

Gwen