Conform. Conform is an inner bark which howls that we retreat from bravery; from exceptionalism. It is demanding and bossy. Conform intends to lead us by the nose to be sure that we don't stand out as different from mediocre and neutral. Thus we will find, within its protection, safety and acceptance without necessary development of the need to learn or to grow...up.
Conforming is "the" socially acceptable stance. It is two clear truths: easiest and...deadliest. Conforming to the flow around us takes no courage, it takes no intelligence, it takes no faith. In this mode we simply develop into an approving/disapproving set of judges toward everyone but ourselves...and we are quite content with this very weak, sick arrangement.
Ours is fundamentally a conforming society. It surely wasn't intended as such; yet this has been the trend with us for decades. More than with us, it is us. There are exceptions, of course. Deliberately working on becoming the exception is what I wish to address.
God is clear, however, that we are not to conform to this world. Rather, we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Uh-oh! So that's the human glitch; stubborn, set-in-my-ways thinking. Unwilling to learn at whatever age we are, we grow accustomed to blocking incredible life by clinging to the little world we know...and can control.
To be a rebel would be to stare down the social powers whose voices intimidate by offering threat. Conforming is their absolute by-law. This requires nothing but convenience, handy-isms, and certainly no application of thought. Conforming is the easy way out and that's what too many settle for in life.
Transformation, on the other hand, launches us into the deep and unknown experiences of ultimate fantasmalistic living. We are not in control; but controlled...by God's leadership. Seldom, in all of God's human stars and starlets on His grand stage, did life ever unfold the way they would have anticipated; would have tried to control.
Abraham, Sarah, David, Thomas, Saul of Tarsus....these and countless others dropped their strong-armed control and yielded to nothing but an unprovable faith swirling in the air...a faith convicted that God can. Ask Mary and Joseph about the time they learned they were pregnant!
God can. Mark it down. Leaders often can't. Committees can't. Best laid plans can't...can't offer the thrill and the results that the rebel with a cause can. Dare to live beyond your fears. Furthermore, dare to abide within His imagination for you.
Rebel with a cause...would be...you. And...our hearts soar when we experience God doing the amazing among us! Believe. Big.
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