Being something else

When you see someone out of the norm what do you think? Has there been a time when you felt like you had to act a certain way to be accepted in a group or at a place? There are times when we feel to be silent and there are times when we feel to be loud. We have been in different scenarios where we must adhere to cultural norms. When you think about King Solomon and the wisdom he projects we should remember Ecclesiastes. The book of Ecclesiastes is one of timing. A time to be born a time to die. Everything that man does this book says is meaningless. Having to be a certain way to be accepted is meaningless. Sometimes you will hear people say that they want to be different. I say don't be different, be you. God created you for who you are. The bible says in Romans, "do not conform to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." What does that mean? Have you ever seen a blacksmith that melts metals and purifies them for use? When you read the rest of that chapter in Romans about not conforming you find that there is a test. The renewing your mind is purifying yourself to the point of exercising the test that God meant for use to show His perfect and pleasing will. We are to be a culture within a culture so we may be impactful with our renewing of our minds so our influence can help bring the test to this world. The black smith will burn away all the chaff and bring out the purest form of the precious metal for display. Let the fire begin and consume us all.