Returning back to our regularly scheduled lives can be a bit of a culture shock. From standing at the front of the stage with 300 others, giving all that we have to God, to sitting alone at home with friends calling asking us to do things that we know we shouldn’t do.
The culture shock is only the things around you, on the inside God is still alive and the same. Too often we focus on our surroundings and forget who is living on the inside.
Romans 12:1-2 Message
So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life— your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life— and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
Instead
In this passage there is a great action word provided; instead. The word instead it asking us to make a change, a switch, a substitution from one way of living to another. We were never called to fit into the world and all it has to offer, instead God wants to brings the best out of you. If we are not called to fit in then we must be called to stand out.
Matthew 5:14-16 NLT
“You are the light of the world— like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father” —Jesus
Be a Light
These verses tell us we are a light. This light is to be used to help the whole house see. We are supposed to have influence over the people and situations around us, driving out darkness. Don’t hide your light, let it shine, let it impact those around you.
Remember, sometimes you may be the only light your friends see in their dark world!
Take Action
Think or even write down a few friends that you believe need more of Jesus in their lives and then begin praying for them, everyday, once a week, etc., just pray for them!
