Individualism or Me-ism, Conformist or Nonconformist, should a Christ follower be any of these?
Every now and then you meet a person who fits no mold. They are the kind of people that will not follow the rules, who don't mind making waves, and also enjoy getting attention in a pretend humble, embarrassed way. They claim praise and admiration make them uncomfortable. They feel they have a higher calling than others to set the trends and make important changes in the world they live.
The subject is too difficult for me to dissect... I get it... this is how some of what I write makes people feel. I have gathered that my thoughts sometimes come across as being too individualistic or that I think I am extra specially outfitted with unusual problems. To be clear, I am perfectly aware that all of the battles I fight are the same ones you do.
Let me just say this in my defense...I believe the best way to identify with people is to say things as honestly as possible and to admit our humanness's as a way to acknowledge that we are sinners saved by grace through the blood of Jesus. If that down to earth approach sounds like me ism to you, I am sorry. When I read a Scripture verse that resonates with a situation I am currently in, sharing it with you is applying it to practical living. It is supposed to be encouraging; I pray it is... Please let me write...
To put into words what others aren't willing to admit or acknowledge is my personal challenge to you to go deeper with Christ, to rid yourself of the old man and put on the new. This will mean change and sometimes be seen as being a non conformists. And as a general rule, people are a little afraid of calling things exactly what they are. Nobody wants to admit to a prejudice or a hangup, but I believe Jesus would like us to work on that. I think He likes honesty. I know He doesn't like hypocrisy. He calls hypocrites "whited sepulchers".
Jesus was all about changing lives and He asks us to go into the world and preach the gospel. One of the apostles of Jesus says we should not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds... If that doesn't require individual change and the acknowledgement of 'me-ism'; I don't know what does.
Why it makes people more comfortable to have a proper place in their minds to put someone who thinks outside the usual predictable box, I will never know. I love thinking and talking with a person who is willing to see their own personal need of change and of going deeper with God. If we are more comfortable with people who sound acceptable and proper perhaps we will be safe from public scandal and of embarrassment but perhaps also we will be held back from a little soul searching and the practice of digging deeper to becoming more honest with our own shortcomings. So yes, I do believe a Christian should be concerned with personal growth and individualism so long as its final goal is to be changed from glory to glory. 2 Cor 3:18
Press on and all that! And for sure, don't be afraid to go deeper with God in your everyday.
Every now and then you meet a person who fits no mold. They are the kind of people that will not follow the rules, who don't mind making waves, and also enjoy getting attention in a pretend humble, embarrassed way. They claim praise and admiration make them uncomfortable. They feel they have a higher calling than others to set the trends and make important changes in the world they live.
The subject is too difficult for me to dissect... I get it... this is how some of what I write makes people feel. I have gathered that my thoughts sometimes come across as being too individualistic or that I think I am extra specially outfitted with unusual problems. To be clear, I am perfectly aware that all of the battles I fight are the same ones you do.
Let me just say this in my defense...I believe the best way to identify with people is to say things as honestly as possible and to admit our humanness's as a way to acknowledge that we are sinners saved by grace through the blood of Jesus. If that down to earth approach sounds like me ism to you, I am sorry. When I read a Scripture verse that resonates with a situation I am currently in, sharing it with you is applying it to practical living. It is supposed to be encouraging; I pray it is... Please let me write...
To put into words what others aren't willing to admit or acknowledge is my personal challenge to you to go deeper with Christ, to rid yourself of the old man and put on the new. This will mean change and sometimes be seen as being a non conformists. And as a general rule, people are a little afraid of calling things exactly what they are. Nobody wants to admit to a prejudice or a hangup, but I believe Jesus would like us to work on that. I think He likes honesty. I know He doesn't like hypocrisy. He calls hypocrites "whited sepulchers".
Jesus was all about changing lives and He asks us to go into the world and preach the gospel. One of the apostles of Jesus says we should not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of our minds... If that doesn't require individual change and the acknowledgement of 'me-ism'; I don't know what does.
Why it makes people more comfortable to have a proper place in their minds to put someone who thinks outside the usual predictable box, I will never know. I love thinking and talking with a person who is willing to see their own personal need of change and of going deeper with God. If we are more comfortable with people who sound acceptable and proper perhaps we will be safe from public scandal and of embarrassment but perhaps also we will be held back from a little soul searching and the practice of digging deeper to becoming more honest with our own shortcomings. So yes, I do believe a Christian should be concerned with personal growth and individualism so long as its final goal is to be changed from glory to glory. 2 Cor 3:18
Press on and all that! And for sure, don't be afraid to go deeper with God in your everyday.
This is one thing that our mom and our grandpa Skrivseth had in common. And yes it bugs people, and used to embarrass me. You've nailed it here,Shi, and I say, keep on. Grace is our passport and one another-ing our goal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that word of encouragement, Arla. Wow! When you think of that combo of personality, I don't have a flying chance to be any other way. Good genes right? Hhmmmm...
ReplyDeleteWish someone would define meism. Because I probably have it but haven't figured out why I shouldn't. Not trying to be funny. I kind of hate the term.
ReplyDeleteDefinition of me-ism: focus or obsession with ones self... in my opinion, if a person is perfectly honest, we all fight it and those who don't are no fun to be around...so you probably work at fighting it...since you're fun to be around. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's a great definition Shilah. Laughter is good medicine for me ism.
ReplyDeleteNope. I don't have it. I'm not obsessed with me. I'm obsessed with food. :)
ReplyDelete