Our quote for today is "Conformity or non-conformity, that is the question; Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to trust in our wealth and abilities and boast of our great riches and knowledge (Psalm 49:6) or deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ (Mark 8:34)."
Conformity in Webster's Dictionary means an action in correspondence with the prevailing customs, rules, or styles.
In other words, as Christians we allow the customs, traditions, fashions, and political correctness of this world to tell us how to act.
I think about when I first started in a new position and Executive Secretary to a top level executive. Since I had never held a position like that, I felt out of my league. I was intimidated by my position and my boss' position. Whatever anyone said I should do, I did, mainly because "that's the way it's always been done". I wanted to fit in so badly, I got caught up in the gossip, the backbiting and everything else that is generally entailed with working in an office.
I conformed to the prevailing customs, rules and styles. Unfortunately, my boss saw another so-called Christian come into the office and do the same things the other so-called Christians and even non-Christians were doing.
When we conform, we limit what Christ wants to do in our lives. We develop blind spots.
I read an article by Keith Varnum entitled "What's In Your Blind Spot?". In it he talks about the fact that we could be "blind" to other possibilities and opportunities that are right under our noses because of the prevailing customs and traditions around us.
God saw us conforming on the playground. "They won't play with me if I don't..." He saw us conforming as we grew into womanhood. " He won't love me if I don't...".
I have to tell you the one statement that someone made to me that broke me out of my "blind spot" was 'You don't realize how much power you have.'
As Christians, we don't realize the power we have. We are intimidated by our position in Christ.
Christ called us to be non-conformists. Romans 12:1-2. Non-conformity according to Webster's Dictionary means a refusal or failure to conform to conventional customers, beliefs or practices.
My former boss was a great example of a non-conformist. He unknowingly showed me that nonconformists refuse to give in to the prevailing customs, but they can still get the job done. Things that no one expects can be done because you didn't take the traditional path.
Orpah was a conformist.
Ruth was a non-conformist.
The 10 spies were conformists.
Joshua and Caleb were non-conformists.
To be a non-conformist is to be a visionary. It means you see possibilities that others don't see.
A friend of mine once said, "there is a thin line between spirituality and crazy."
When you start to see yourself as God sees you. When you start to see God's plan for your life, your walk, your finances, your home, your place of worship, people will think you're crazy. But they will also know that you refuse to conform. Ephesians 5:1-2, 15: Romans 12:1-2.
To Confom or not to conform,
that is the question.
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