Pastor’s Corner: “Going Against the Grain”
Romans 12:2 (NIV) – 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.
I was at the grocery store checking out, minding my own business and the Lord “highlighted” the young woman checking me out. Jesus will do this sometimes if I am paying attention. Like a highlight pen in a passage of a book, the Lord points my attention to someone in need of prayer. And it is usually in a place and time where there are spectators. Despite the risk of social awkwardness, I felt compelled to offer to pray for her. Looking from the outside, this young woman did not appear to be distressed, but when I mustered the courage to ask her if I could pray for her, she had such a look of longing and relief that someone was even looking or interested in her pain. So right there in front of all the impatient people waiting in line and others bustling about us, I prayed for her and I knew the God was smiling.
Christianity is meant to be at odds with purposeless, going-through-the-motions life. Although many people might think praying for a stranger in public is extreme, we have an obligation and an opportunity as Christians to be the right kind of extreme. You have heard the phrase “Keep Austin Weird”? I rather like to use the phrase “Keep Christianity weird.” Weird as in we are willing to do uncomfortable things the Lord is asking us to do that will make others uncomfortable. As Christians we are called to go against the grain, to be counter cultural.
Being “counter cultural” generates many images, from eating vegan foods to composting to bell-bottoms. To me, counter cultural is a way of life in Jesus that runs against the grain of the world. The Christian community, when it’s most faithful, runs contrary to — and is distinct from — the systems and structures of power, sexuality and money, among many other things. We’re called to be a counterculture for the common good.
The NLT version of Romans 12:2 says: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Let God transform you and change the way you think. This is at the heart of being counter cultural. But we’re not counter cultural just for it’s own sake: We’re on a mission. That the God of the universe chooses to work His mission in part through His people is astonishing! He doesn’t need us to do His work, but we have the privilege of joining Him, the Master Craftsman, in the mission to reconcile the world to Himself.
Are you willing to pay the price? Are you willing to spend some extra time in the morning to get into the Word of God? Are you willing pay the price of being ridiculed or even persecuted because you stand for Jesus? Luke 9:26 (NLT) – 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in his glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels. Are you willing to be different and go against the grain? How far will you go for Jesus?
Hebrews 12:1 (NLT) – Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Will you finish your course? When you’re running this race, you’re going to find out that you’re running right against the grain. There’s the broad way, where most are traveling, and here you are, going the other way, against the grain. What we believe is the opposite of what the world without Jesus Christ believes. Our faith in Christ starts at a different source, follows a different course and ends at a different conclusion
Heavenly Father, thank You for inviting us into Your mission. Continue to transform the way we think and act so we’re fully equipped to join in Your work of reconciliation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
In His Grace,
Pastor Hamilton