We were in town on Saturday morning for our youngest 2 children’s piano lessons and if we can afford it we have breakfast in town afterwards.
So we were sitting in a local cafe having some brunch (by the time we got there) and I was rather interested by something happening around us.
Now my daughter and I either wear skirts or dresses, because that is a conviction that God has given to OUR family. This post isn’t to start a debate about whether women should or shouldn’t wear pants, this is a post to get you thinking.
As I was sitting there drinking my cappuccino in came a family. A mum, 2 daughters and a son. Now when we shop we go to our nearest large town which is a small town of under 10,000 people, so although I don’t know everyone, you get to see the same faces around.
We have a group of Exclusive Brethren who live in this town and they have a couple of businesses as well. Now if you know about the Exclusive Brethren you know that they wear dresses or skirts and head coverings. The group in town has women only wearing head bands instead and I must admit this family didn’t have any head coverings at all but I knew they were Brethren.
The mum was wearing a beautiful dress and both girls were wearing lovely summer frocks and the son had on long pants and a white shirt. I noticed them straight away when they came in and used the bathrooms and then ordered a take away breakfast.
The whole family stuck together and spoke quietly to each other, they did hold themselves apart – I suppose of the world not in the world, something that we Christians are supposed to be.
There was a young girl there about 13 years of age I’d guess and she was waiting for her order. I hadn’t noticed her before but as I was watching the other family I noticed her looking at the brethren family with interest.
This family stood out, they were dressed differently, they weren’t rowdy, they held themselves together. They didn’t go along with the worlds ways.
Now this also isn’t to turn into a debate about the Exclusive Brethren and what they believe, but do we as Christians hold ourselves apart from the world and are we standard bearers for our children and our children’s children.
Do we just go along with the way everyone else does things because it is easier and even I must admit sometimes it is hard being a Christian and having to stand up and be different, but in the end what can the world offer us but soul destroying fun times.
I love the scripture of Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
We must stand firm against the worlds ways and not be conformed to them, we must set ourselves apart otherwise we wont be able to discern Gods will for us. We must take the hard road (dirt road in the country) and hit every pothole if that is Gods way but his way leads to the cross of Christ and the forgiveness of our sins and everlasting life with him.
Why would we want any other road than HIS.
Matthew 6:24 – No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
1 John 1:7 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
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This is really something to ponder on. I love the picture you described. It is difficult finding this scene from the part of the world where I am right now. Yesterday, I came home very sad. I felt I am not doing enough with my Sunday school kids.
Oh well, everything in our lives and all that we do should represent Christ.
God Bless.
Thank you for you comment Ifeoma, I am sorry that you feel disappointed with your work with your Sunday School kids. May you be blessed as you keep on trying to bring God to them. Blessings
Good thoughts to contemplate… I have been so concerned about the trend in the US (probably in the whole world)… where Christians “wink” at sin… allowing more and more and more to creep in through movies, jokes, music, etc… It is easy to do… and yet, God calls us to honor Him.. no matter what others do around us. We need to be wise.
Thank you for that, you are so right, it is creeping in, it seems to come upon us without us even realising it. We need to stay in God’s word so we can be discerning. Thank and blessings to you.
This is a very good thought provoking post. I love how you provided scripture to back up your points of view in a non-challenging way. You’re right we do need to stand apart from the world and their ways.
Thanks Crystal for your kind comment, blessings to you.
I think it is wonderful for Christians to not be ashamed of the light that they shine for the Lord, whether it be in conduct, dress or actions.
Yes MM you are right, thank you for stopping by. Blessings
Beautiful example of being “in” but not “of” this world.
Speaking of breakfast…did you know Ihop is giving away free pancakes tomorrow for National Pancake Day? Don’t know if your town has one or not but I plan to take my kiddos to breakfast for dinner. 🙂
Thanks Lisa for you encouraging comment. No we don’t have Ihop in Australia but it sounds a great idea. Blessings
You have given me a lot to think about friend. Thank you for your honest thoughts.
Thanks Jenny, it gave me a lot to think about as well, what light am I shining. Thanks for stopping by and may you be blessed.
Terri,
What a thoughtful post! We do need to contemplate these things all the times. It is so easy to just “go along” with the world’s ways of thinking and acting. Thanks for the reminder and thanks for linking up at Mondays @ Soul Survival! Blessings! Donna
Thank you Donna for your encouraging comment, blessings to you.
P.S. I loved watching your daughter and son-in-law’s trip video. I feel like I have “friends” in Australia.
It was a great video, and it was even better when we realised the fact that we were going to be grandparents again. They will have 3 under 2 1/2 and we are so excited but all that anyone else can say is “Oh she will be busy”. Well of course they will be busy but with such blessings. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment and you definitely have friends in Australia. Blessings
In some places, the world creeps in. In some places it is blatantly running rampant.
We absolutely must set ourselves apart as Holy, as Christ teaches us. And…hard…at times, you are so right it is hard. But He equips us to do all things through Him. So…hard…but absolutely do-able.
Thank you for sharing and reminding us by your quiet and gentle spirit.
Blessings,
Thanks Deborah, you are so right even though it is hard it is absolutely do-able and He does equip us. I’m not sure about the gentle quiet spirit!!! I did write a post the other day out of frustration and it definitely wasn’t gentle nor quiet but I did feel better about what was bothering me, now I better make sure I delete it and not press publish instead :-). Thank you so much for your encouragement I feel so blessed by our friendship. xxxx
Sweet post, I too have felt convictions about wearing skirts, and covering my head. Trying to transition to the world of skirt wearing without buying an entire new wardrobe all at once, and started by wearing a head covering during mass. Nice to hear about a family not afraid to live the life they feel convicted to lead 🙂 I’ll have to look up Exclusive Brethren, I have never heard of them. #shinebloghops
Thanks Michelle, good on you for taking a conviction and working to make it happen. It can be so hard to stand on something you believe, but it is what God calls us to do. Thank you for your comment and blessings to you.
Wonderful thoughts to bring on the weekend after a long long week. 🙂
Thanks as always for these helpful reflections.
Thanks Lux for your lovely comment. Have a great weekend, blessings to you and yours.
Just last night I wrote a post encouraging Christian bloggers to stand firm in the faith. So happy you’re doing so here!
Oh Susan it is so lovely to hear from like minded Christians, thank you for sharing you post and your thoughts with me. Blessings
Why would we want any other road than His? A great question that we all should ask ourselves and seek the answer that we believe. Blessed you joined The Weekend Brew.
Thanks Mary for your kind comment, thank you for hosting and for stopping by. Blessings
I so agree that we are called to walk differently than the world. We must follow God’s heart and His Word, not the ways of the world, nor even man made religious tradition. There are definite Biblical standards we all must follow, then there are personal convictions that God lays on our heart for ourselves and perhaps our family, like you pointed out.
Thanks Elizabeth for your thoughtful comment, I appreciate you stopping by and sharing your opinion with me. Blessings
I think that they key sometimes is knowing the difference between being in and being of. It can be different for each individual.
Thanks Heidi, that is right, we must search out what God wants us to do, not others. Blessings
I often think about being in the world but not of it – it can be a fine line sometimes but I know He gives wisdom when we ask. Thank you for sharing this thought provoking post.
Thank you so much Rose for your thoughtful comment. Blessings
You painted the picture perfectly and I could vividly imagine the scene unfolding. I love the scripture you quote to back up your point.
Thanks for sharing at the Shine Blog Hop!
Thanks Tiffany for your kind and encouraging comment, blessings to you.
“We must take the hard road and hit every pothole.” Spot on! The hard road will continue to get harder as long as Jesus tarries His coming. But the hard road is the very best place to be, because that’s where HE is. Thank you for sharing this with us at Grace & Truth!
Thanks Jennifer for your thoughtful comment and thank you for hosting. Blessings
You are absolutely right. As Christians we are to be the light and the salt of this world. In other words, people are suppose to know that we are children of God. Often times though, they don’t, unless we tell them, which we don’t really.
I believe we were meant to stand out, not blend in. People should know that there is something different about us from the time we walk in the room. Some should even tell off the bat that we are Christians. Thank so much for sharing this post at TGI Saturdays. We would love to see what you have in store to share this weekend.
Blessing to you.
Thanks for your kind and thoughtful comment Latisha, seems we stand in agreement. Blessings