October 29, 2021 – Click here to listen
My Bible study partner has assumed the role of a pilgrim and is currently walking the 500-mile “Camino” trek in Spain. His incessant whimpering and whining about his aching feet every day has been driving me crazy for almost a month. He has six more days to go, and I will be elated when he finishes. I don’t understand why he would subject himself to it, of course, I’m sure he has similar feelings about my obsession for fishing.
Not too long ago I went to see some friends and stayed with them a few days to enjoy some fishing. I don’t think I’ve ever been in such a controlling situation. I don’t like many types of food and these folks, who love food, were not enamored by the limited bland dishes that I do like. I only eat what I like to eat, and I will not eat food I dislike. Some might think it rude or impolite, but I would rather just not eat.
I’m not a conformist and find conformity to be detestable. God didn’t create us all the same. I respect that!
It became a test of wills with my friend’s wife insisting I eat things I don’t want. The same was true for activities. If she wanted to go on a boat ride or whatever, she insisted that we all go and right then. Insisted is the word, not suggested. She had such a strong personality that everyone else meekly acquiesced. It didn’t work out to well with me, however, and sadly we departed under less than favorable conditions.
My in-laws love to watch the Atlanta Braves. Watching a professional baseball game is like watching moss grow to me. I cannot understand their love of the sport, but they eagerly tune in to each and every game of the entire season and watch it for hours on end. I cannot even get through a single game and they are currently playing in the World Series. Now the Georgia Bulldogs football team on the other hand I could watch every second of the game including every interview, jot, and tittle.
My wife loves to play games of any kind, cards, board games, bingo, you name it. She can play for hours on end, and she is good at it and derives tremendous satisfaction from playing games. We have many friends and family members that love them too. I would rather be tied to the whipping post than play one and I suppose it seems rude that they are all playing games while I strum my guitar or piddle around doing something else. I’m fine with them having fun doing what they enjoy and desire they would give me the same latitude.
I say, “to each his own”. I don’t shun those with interests that are contrary to my own. My wife doesn’t enjoy a great many things that I enjoy and vice versa but heck we have been married for over 50 years. We learned to accept each other’s quirks, likes and dislikes many moons ago, and though we are not exactly the same we get along fine.
I don’t begrudge anyone their food choices, hobbies, or whatever and ask the same of others. I think there is a danger in conforming to evil, however, and refuse to bow to peer pressure and go along to get along. I try to avoid those who say, “it is my way or the highway” especially when their way is what I perceive as being a highway to hell . . .
The direction of our nation and indeed the world is troubling. David Icke wrote The human race is a herd. Here we are, unique, eternal aspects of consciousness with an infinity of potential, and we have allowed ourselves to become an unthinking, unquestioning blob of conformity and uniformity. A herd. Once we concede to the herd mentality, we can be controlled and directed by a tiny few. And we are.
Socialism and communism may be around the corner if more of us don’t refuse to conform and stand up for what is right. Wouldn’t the world be so much better if folks would just quit trying to make everyone conform to their way of thinking and be just like them. Dream on . . .
Egad! It would bore us to tears for us all to be the same. God does not want us to conform to this world. It might be fashionable to party through the night drink alcohol until snookered and smoke pot until your mind is numb, but that is not God’s plan for your life. Don’t live your life according to others’ standards even if some don’t like you for it. Remember the opposite for courage is not cowardice, it is conformity. Even a dead fish can go with the flow.
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Have a great weekend and go to church this Sunday!