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Trying to fit in when you were meant to stand out


Very often we call ourselves Christians because we go to mass on Sunday or say our prayers at home. Some may even say they are Christian because they believe in God. However is that enough? Are we called, to simply believe?

We often want a Christianity that is easy and feel weighed down by the commandments, codes of conduct, obligations and almost anything that forces us to change our ways. We forget that we are called to walk on a narrow path that isn't easy and sometimes very lonely because not many will walk with us. In the Old Testament we read that God saved his people and lead them to the Promised Land. However, he didn't let them enter until he gave them a head to toe makeover. Since they had been living in sin in Egypt which was full of idolatry and immoral behavior, he gave them commandments, codes of moral conduct, he asked them to change how they ate, how they dressed and how they worshiped all for one purpose. So that it was ingrained in them that they were chosen by God to be Holy people. To be Holy is to be set apart, which meant that their behavior was to be different from that of the pagans, in the land that they were to inhabit. They were being prepared for a mission, to be witnesses to the nations and bring many to God and that is simply something you can't do by blending into the crowd. 

No I am not asking anyone to change their diet or clothing now. With the arrival of Jesus we see that those he called had a complete change of heart which soon enough changed their choices and their actions. Many came as sinners but left as disciples. After my encounter with Christ years back, I knew I couldn't return to my old ways. I had to let go of many bad habits, the way I spoke to people, even the way I portrayed myself. It wasn't because someone told me too but because I experienced the love of  Christ and wanted to follow him. I still remember the first time I called my family to pray together and they sat in shock for about 5 minutes before smiling awkwardly and asking me if I was okay. Family is always the first to notice the change because you mostly behave your worst at home. And I was pretty much a monster at home, screaming my lungs out at every chance I got. So while they initially didn't believe that I encountered Christ, they eventually figured that there was something different about me. That is what your encounter with Christ should do. It should make people say, something is different about this person. They should want to know what makes you think and feel differently and eventually want to get a taste Christ for themselves.

But don't be fooled, not everyone will be happy with the changes in you. In my own personal faith journey, I experienced times when it took immense courage to follow Christ. I have faced ridicule, been judged for my choices, have been called narrow minded, fanatic, boring and crazy, just to name a few of the things. I have even lost a couple of friends along the way because of my belief. Sometimes it seems easier to hide your faith and behave like everyone around, but that's not we are supposed to be doing. You don't hide a lamp under a bushel basket, remember?

If you aren't facing opposition from outside, sometimes the battle lies inside. There is a constant temptation to go back to your former ways. If you want to do a quick check on yourself, go to your Netflix account and see the type of movies you have been watching over the past few months. Is there something in there you know you shouldn't have watched? Or simply think of the words that came out of your mouth today. The same tongue that you use to praise God, has it been used to curse and slander? Or what does a night out with friends usually mean to you. Is it about indulging in things that would mess with your reasoning and cause you to make bad decisions? 

They say no man is perfect. Even as I write this, I know that I am far from where I should be. I fall short more often then I can remember. However, we are called to strive for perfection, because our God is perfect and we are called to imitate him. 


 



Comments

  1. UnknownJuly 17, 2021 at 12:05 PM

    Oh man I swear a lot this made me cringe at the though of what I do and how I easy it is to fall back and go back to your old ways. The struggle is real.

    ReplyDelete

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