Today’s lesson is about being normal or the fun of letting your freak flag fly.

We are individuals. We have freedom of choice. We have freedom of action. We have the right by God to be individuals. I was walking on campus today and saw an interesting interaction between two people. First, let me say that today is Unofficial St. Patricks Day. In a nutshell, St. Patricks day used to be during Spring Break. So the students created Unofficial prior to St Patrick’s Day to drink, wear green, and be goofy. And yes, the drinking starts at 6:00 A.M., including bars being open. Anyway, I was walking to a meeting and saw two young students run across the street to great each other.

Student 1: You’re not drinking yet?
Student 2: Nope, You’re not either?
Student 1: We must be the only ones not drinking?
Student 2: We’re dorks.

Picture from the News-Gazette.com

I wanted to say, “No. You aren’t dorks. You are students doing what you need to do”. The thought that by not being intoxicated at 10:50 A.M., they were dorks got me thinking. How many times do we do something different to fit in? How many times do we go with the flow rather than standing on our principles or values? The thought of “it’s only a little thing” or “it doesn’t bother me too much”, is a constant in my head. We have a need to fit in, to be normal. But why? We have a guidebook and a God who helps us be ourselves and let our uniqueness show.

“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.” – Romans 12:2

“When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not learn to imitate the detestable ways of the nations there.” – Deuteronomy 18:9

We should not see the world as something to model. We should look to scripture, to those following Him, and emulate that. These are not popular views. I struggle with them on a daily basis. From anger to weapons, to sexuality, to envy, to greed, to sloth, and more, I struggle. I ask for forgiveness multiple times daily and get it from my friends and family and from Jesus. At the same time, though, you can have an enjoyable, loving, fun-filled life, when following the Word. It’s harder for sure when you aren’t solely responsible for your actions but God is. But he wants us to have good things and a great life.

Are you willing to not judge yourself by the world but by God? Are you willing to look past what is expected of you in the Worldview and what Jesus wants us to do?

I am (with the help of God)

#61of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney