Last night involved a series of events that I chose not to be part of. Not detailing the particulars, there were a lot of things that normally appeal to people at large, but it's something that I simply could not even begin to imagine enjoying.
I want to say that it's because of my upstanding moral character, but that's nonsense; we all have those things that we struggle or, in some cases, simply can't say "no", to on our own. However, your salvation -- and mine -- includes this promise:
On the other side of that, I don't know how to feel about it; at times, I wonder with all of my folly if I'm christian enough for God to even recognize and then things like this happens and it seems to be irrefutable that I belong to Him because His life in me gives me no desire to be a part of this mess.
If you feel outcast and alone because you choose to do or not do things that many people in your age group, in your town enjoy, take heart. Some of those things -- I dare say most of those things -- aren't worth the pain God is saving you from in telling you "don't do this".
It's just a system. Input, process, output. We're simply made of a different format and that means we're completely incompatible in more than a few places. This is just one of them for me.
How about you? Leave a comment.
I want to say that it's because of my upstanding moral character, but that's nonsense; we all have those things that we struggle or, in some cases, simply can't say "no", to on our own. However, your salvation -- and mine -- includes this promise:
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.In short, the grace of God helps us to say "no" to things we would be too weak to say "no" to otherwise.-- Titus 2:11-14 NASB
On the other side of that, I don't know how to feel about it; at times, I wonder with all of my folly if I'm christian enough for God to even recognize and then things like this happens and it seems to be irrefutable that I belong to Him because His life in me gives me no desire to be a part of this mess.
If you feel outcast and alone because you choose to do or not do things that many people in your age group, in your town enjoy, take heart. Some of those things -- I dare say most of those things -- aren't worth the pain God is saving you from in telling you "don't do this".
It's just a system. Input, process, output. We're simply made of a different format and that means we're completely incompatible in more than a few places. This is just one of them for me.
How about you? Leave a comment.
I just readthis entry from Oswald Chambers' book, and it reminded me of a dream I had last night. The only thing I remember from this dream is that awful things were happening all around, yet somehow, I found myself saying, "Glory to God". To be honest, that's not quite like me in real life. I don't like being separated from people (I seem to be separated from some because I can't go along with what they are doing). I can't go to clubs to meet others because I just don't fit there. It's like being a puzzle piece from another puzzle, yet trying to fit into the one everyone else is a part of. It doesn't work. And, as parts of that different puzzle, our response to situations has to be different, too. That's the really hard part.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing. I hope the link works.
The link took a moment, but I put it together and found what you meant to say. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel and we're in this together. Be encouraged.