by Kala Loptien

Resisting Conformity

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link. 

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 ESV

The pressure to be trendy and current is a lifelong temptation. Every age and stage seems to have its own set of expectations the world has deemed “cool” or “correct.” Trends span a broad range of genres too: fashion, design, art, music, technology, fitness, nutrition, education, career, politics. I’ll briefly mention that we’re inundated with ever-evolving ideologies, theories and movements. That’s the thing about trends, though: they’re fleeting; they fluctuate. At times it feels as if no one is really sure or certain about anything…

Here’s the glorious good news. In a fast-paced, progressive world, there has only ever been one constant: God. That’s it. Over the course of years, floods, wars, pandemics, rulers, politics and millions of trends…our God and His promises remain unchanged. His Word is the truth we crave. It provides the parameters and framework for living we so desperately need. We know we will always be tempted by the culture, the messaging and how others think we should live. This is nothing new.

Our small group is currently using one of Max Lucado’s books* as we navigate through the book of Esther. We recently spent time examining the highly-influenced Persian party animal: King Xerxes. We read about him and shake our heads in disgust. Then we’re faced with questions and reflections. We start to wonder and worry about the similarities: Do we try to prove ourselves to others (on social media or otherwise)? Who do we have in our own “counsel”? How do we treat others? Does the culture influence our decisions and how we live? Hmmm… Maybe we can relate on some level.

We will always be faced with the temptation to conform in order to feel part of something…to be comfortable. But, we have been called to something more. May we seek His voice, discern His will and live like a people set apart.

*Lucado, Max (2021). You were made for this moment.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado