"How Can I Stand Out When The Society Tells Me To Fit In?"

Today it seems like everyone wants to be like everyone else. We compete with one another for the bigger, better house, expensive cars, the latest technology, the best selfie, the most friends on Facebook, better clothes, name brand shoes, a certain attitude, more money, or a certain look. We all want to fit in. 

Why do we do this to ourselves? Because we fear on being different. We cringe on being rejected by society because we know deep inside our spirit we are not like them. If you let it happen, society with all its temptation, glamour, distractions, sinful nature, and attractions, will put pressure on you to fall. As a child of God have you forgotten? 

"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light". (1 Peter 2:9) 

As a young person, I have come to the realization that our society keeps saying: "You want to be accepted? Be like everyone else". Ever heard of the saying "If you can't beat them join them"? This is what it means: Don’t try to change the standard. When or if you set yourself apart from the status quo you get the vibe that "we don't want you." Then we feel mocked, and rejected for being different or for not keeping up with the world’s expectations.  Sadly as young Christians we allow this feeling of rejection take heart and then we tend to forget on who we are. Remember: 

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill that cannot be hidden". (Matt 5:14)

When you don't conform, our friends laugh at us or refuse to spend time with us because of our differences, and this is where we begin to compromise. We begin to change our priorities, to become more like them. Then we find ourselves living accordingly to the worldly standards. Our speech changes, and our lifestyle slowly begins to alter and by then it becomes difficult to spot the difference between those who are saved and not saved. 

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16: 33) 

 

So what does the Bible, the book that is supposed to guide our conduct have to say about this topic? What does the truth have to say about fitting into the world’s standard of being loved and accepted : 

"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." (Rom 12:2) 

It says "do not conform to the pattern of this world!" While society tells us to conform in order to feel loved and accepted. Folks the Bible forbids us to love this world. Did you know being friends with the world is being enemies with God? 

"... Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God". (James 4:4)

 I remember that at a certain time in my life I was tired of feeling different from others, so I decided to imitate my worldly friends. Yet having won the pleasure of being like everyone, I had lost the joy of being a child of God. ANY there is greater joy in being different. 

"So if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand or one foot than to be thrown into eternal fire with both of your hands and feet." (Matt 8:18)

Keep your eyes on the prize. We are born to win even in this race. I am convinced that being rejected or outcasts of the world due to our lifestyle will be nothing compared to the joy and glory of spending eternity with Jesus Christ. 

So, let’s ask ourselves these questions: 

 Is it really worth compromising our eternity with Christ simply because we want the world to accept us?? Is it really worth to grieve God, to deny our identity just to fit into society?

Make a decision!

By: El-j.