Counter Culture

AI helped with this image and I kind of love it. It's a counter in a stadium. Get it. Counter Culture!!... ?

Rom 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.

What is the world? The way that those act who do not know God. The way that is considered "normal". This 'Us vs Them' concept of listening to 'God vs. the world' has been difficult. How do I do this without judgement? How do I love my neighbor while also not following them? How do I love my neighbor while being different from them?

I was thinking about Jesus this morning. His disciples had a hard time understanding what his mission was. I think that was intentional. Those who have the hardest time understanding a concept will have a better time explaining it. They have wrestled with it from many different angles and will know it more fully.

His disciples waited in hiding after his crucifixion because they were afraid of also getting persecuted. Indeed they would be persecuted but they wouldn't be afraid once they understood.

Jesus lived among them, he acted among them. He lived differently, that was his biggest form of communication. Living differently. He was the only one who was qualified to judge the world and he loved it.

Humility including enduring scorn and pain.

What does living counter culturally mean. I have one example that I'm trying to exercise and that is in slowing down.

Isa 40:3 Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.

Psa 46:10 “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

In the US there is a very large problem with credit card debt. Is there a better way to illustrate a country that has a difficult time waiting? We can't even wait till we can afford a thing before we buy it. The instant gratification of the internet, the exhausting pursuit of all the things: acclaim, money, prestige, security, safety, health, this list could be endless. Understanding what our motivating factors for why we do things is a great step in understanding how we are or aren't conforming to the world.

Waiting for the Lord will always be difficult. It will be something I have to do intentionally. If the scriptures are to be believed this is how I "renew your strength" or "gain new strength". I'm hoping to get some of this new strength. So I'm trying to add waiting for the Lord into my daily living.

What does this look like? Yes. That is the right question. But I don't know if I'm the one to answer that for you.