Tuesday; April 3

The other day I was driving along when a song by Sam Bush began to play.  As I listened to the first few lines and read the title, “Play By Your Own Rules” I was all prepared for another anthem of independence from the morays of traditional society – but, by midway through the song I realized this was something different.  You see, what the songwriter was encouraging was a break from societal norms that lead to self-serving behavior.  Playing by our own rules meant being willing to stand up for what is right (and righteous).  The lyrics include the encouragement, “Be a shining light ... be a helping hand ... be a giving heart ... be a patient man”.  The point isn’t anarchy or anti-establishmentarianism, it is being free to pursue a life of value.
The idea of being our own person has lead a lot of people to lives of extremism – often in directions of seclusion or anti-social behavior – but, there is another way to be different.  When we live by the rules of godliness we can find ourselves at odds with a carnal world, but that doesn’t mean that we should give in.  We must have the strength to be our own person (okay ... what that really means is being God’s people). 
When the First Century Christians found themselves struggling with their surroundings, an early church leader reminded them that this world was destined for a fiery destruction, then encouraged, “Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat!  But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:11-13)  Are we willing to be “unique” (holy)?  If so, we may stand alone in this world, but we will find ourselves standing with God throughout eternity.
Think About It

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