10to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ. 11In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.
Everything works out in conformity with the purpose of his will…. It is the Lords will, and his plan that we are here to carry out, on that I think we all agree. However there always has and always will be a huge pull to conform to everything other than what glorifies God.
We are pressured to conform to society, to become “mainstream”. We should be more concerned with what Susan Sarandon has to say than what the bible says. We should worship the earth, and our cars, science, and Hollywood. If we do not, we are labeled as out of touch, or against change. Our children are urged to look to spoiled child stars as role models, they are told that while there is nothing wrong with lying to your parents, and as long as someone does not hurt them personally then that person should be allowed to do whatever they want.
I think 1 Peter 1: 14-15 sums it up well: 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do. When we lived in ignorance…… I know most of us can look back in our lives and remember all too well just what living in ignorance encompassed. While the Lord tells us that once we put our hand to the plow we should not look back; he was talking about looking back and craving those old desires. I think it is imperative that each of us remember exactly what our lives were like before we turned to Christ. We have to remember so that we can see what societies “mainstream” has to offer, empty hopes, broken promises, lost time, wealth, and self respect. That is the reward that awaits those who fall prey to the pressures of this world.
Today is no different that a few thousand years ago. Adults and children faced the same struggles then, that we all face now. Sure, the names and positions might be different, but there has always been a part of society that has been trying to separate itself from God. There is no need to fear that part of our world, but we must recognize it. We have to show our children how empty the promises are.
We should all be striving to conform, and change our lives, but it should be in the direction of the Lord, not Society. I pray that we all have the strength to withstand the storms and undercurrents of societies pressures, more importantly, I pray that we are all active enough in our children’s lives so they too can withstand the attack.
Peace,
Rev. Thetford
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