Standin’ Out When the World Wants You Blendin’ In
Well, how do, now, friend? Come on off this front porch and wander with me out to this quiet patch over here just outside the yard where the breeze is hummin’ through the trees like it’s singin’ harmony, and the lil’ ol’ squirrels are fussin’ like they’re runnin’ for some kind o’ political office. Let’s just stand here for a spell by this ol’ rickety fence rail that leans like it’s plumb tired o’ holdin’ up everybody’s opinions. Sometimes you need a real good place like this to remember that the Lord done meant for His people to be standin’ out, not blendin’ in. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” That right there’s God’s gentle way of sayin’, “Quit your tryin’ to fit in where you don’t belong.”
First John 2:15 tells us, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” These days folks is workin’ harder than a real responsible, serious-minded ol’ sheepdog tendin’ some onery lil’ ol’ sheep to be makin’ real sure their kids git to fittin’ right on in with every trend that comes blowin’ through town. Some parents will buy anything their child gits to pointin’ at, even if it’s ‘bout as helpful as teachin’ a lil’ ol’ Billy goat to do some tap dancin’. An’ it ain’t just the young ones either. Why, full-grown folks is out there, too, comparin’ cars, clothes, houses, and lifestyles like they’re in some kind o’ county fair competition contest. The real sad part is that believers, the very ones called to be shinin’ bright for Jesus, are sometimes the quickest ones to be blendin’ in like a lil’ ol’ chameleon sittin’ on your grandma’s handmade quilt.
But, friend, there ain’t one thing wrong with bein’ different. In fact, Christians are supposed to be different. We’re meant to be the salt, the light, the ones who live right and encourage others to do the same. The world ought to be lookin’ at us and sayin’, “Now that’s how it’s done.” Not the other way around. When we start copyin’ the world’s ways, we lose the very holy flavor God put in us. We gotta’ be standin’ real firm. Standin’ real joyful. Standin’ real holy. An’ we ain’t gotta’ be apologizin’ for bein’ so unique in Christ.
Father, help me stand for righteousness even when the world pulls the other way. Renew my mind daily so I can honor You in my choices. Give me courage to be different and boldness to live out Your truth. Let my life point others to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Now, I’ll tell you what, friend, as you move back toward the porch and git your boots dusted off real good, hold on to the notion that God ain’t never called you to be blendin’ in like a lil’ ol’ rabbit hidin’ out in the brush. He done called you to be standin’ real tall like a big ol’ lone oak in a wide open field. When you choose His ways over the world’s ways, your life gits to shinin’ brighter than a bright lil’ ol’ lantern on a dark country road. An’ who knows, even them lil’ ol’ fireflies might start to flickerin’ a little brighter just tryin’ to be keepin’ up with you.
With joy,
Gwen
