Pillows are like people ...they come in all shapes and sizes. Do you remember when, no matter where you went, you had to take "your" pillow? Some of you and you know who you are still take "your" pillow.
On occasion we travel and stay in a hotel. On that hotel bed there are 3,000 pillows and none of them are right ... not one! But if I have "my" pillow ...all will be o.k. for the night.
My pillow is like a brick, in fact, the colder the weather the harder my pillow becomes ...but...the minute my head hits the pillow it begins to "conform" to my head. In the middle of the night, well you know ...the middle for me is like 11:00... That time when you're tossing and turning, trying to find a comfortable spot and you reach us and flip your pillow over ...and ... then ...ahhhh .... the pillow conforms and all is again right in my world.
That word conforming is interesting isn't it and it leads to this question, “What’s required of us as Christians?" Are we supposed to conform...like our pillow?
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.
The standard, for all that we think, say or do, must become, “Is this consistent with Scripture?” -or- “Is this what God wants?”
There are quite a few Christians, some churches and even denominations, that go along with worldly standards. If we don’t accept the Bible as the authority, we have nothing that enables us to to stand against the pressure to conform to what the world sees as normal.
If we stand on the truth of Scripture, we have a solid to resist the pressures of the world.
If we do not stand on the truth of Scripture, then there is little reason not to go along with every popular movement and teaching.
This may take courage. It is hard to resist peer pressure and when we resist, it may lead to confrontation, to mocking and ridicule, to rejection and other consequences.
2 Corinthians 10:3-6 (MSG)
...we don’t live or fight our battles that way —never have and never will. The tools of our trade aren’t for marketing or manipulation, but they are for demolishing that entire massively corrupt culture. We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ. Our tools are ready at hand for clearing the ground of every obstruction and building lives of obedience into maturity.
During our ordinary lives, we tend to compartmentalize things, to put some things in a “church” category, some things in a “work” category, some things in a “home or life” category, and some things in a “recreation” category.
But Scripture tells us to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, and to pray constantly. Everything we think and do should be dedicated to God.
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
..and..
Hebrews 12:2 (NIV) and praise
... fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We must conform ourselves to the image of God. We need to feed ourselves with Scripture, prayer, study and praise. Our primary focus needs to be on the eternal things of God.
When we do, hopefully, we will help some of our fellow Christians stand firm in their faith no matter what happens. We cannot do everything, but by the grace of God, what we can do, we will do.
Now...grab your pillow and take a nap!
...just sayin'...
Kelly
