I know a girl named Ava, who no one likes to be around. She's not mean, but she's hyper, socially inept, and loves to annoy people. She has a very loud voice, makes very blunt comments, and thinks its funny to randomly whack people and make faces at them. She can't work in a group because she's stubborn and won't listen to anyone else's suggestions.
But that's all right. She's okay, because we should love her just the way she is. If we don't want to be partners with her in a group project, that's our fault. We intolerant, controlling, bullies! She shouldn't try to change herself! She needs to stay true to who she is.
So.
Unfortunately, that's the way our culture has changed. What began as a simple call to accept others based on age, gender, body size, or ethnicity has morphed into something where people can do any immoral, vulgar, profane thing they want. And we should just be okay with it. They're being themselves, right? Isn't it important to be yourself?
So where is the line drawn? When does "Don't worry if your hair is black and not blond" become "Go ahead and rob a bank! We'll love you just the way you are!"
God doesn't want us to be content with the states of our hearts and souls, or even this world. Like I've said, this world is in a constant state of disrepair. We're sinners who make messes, hurt other people, and destroy things, sometimes even without meaning to. Who wants to be content with that?
Be just the way you are. Stay just the way you are. These phrases are destructive! You weren't meant to stay the same way forever, never! We were made to learn and grow. Imagine what would happen if we all stayed "just the way we are" from when we were born. We'd all still be babies. God doesn't want us to be content with the sinful state of our souls, he transforms us.
God wants us to become like Jesus. Life is the long journey toward becoming Christlike.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us. Ephesians 5:1-2a
Don't be "yourself". "Yourself" is imperfect, sinful, damaged and scarred. Instead, try to become the person God wants you to be.
Amaranthine
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
2 Corinthains 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Romans 12:2
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.
But that's all right. She's okay, because we should love her just the way she is. If we don't want to be partners with her in a group project, that's our fault. We intolerant, controlling, bullies! She shouldn't try to change herself! She needs to stay true to who she is.
So.
Unfortunately, that's the way our culture has changed. What began as a simple call to accept others based on age, gender, body size, or ethnicity has morphed into something where people can do any immoral, vulgar, profane thing they want. And we should just be okay with it. They're being themselves, right? Isn't it important to be yourself?
So where is the line drawn? When does "Don't worry if your hair is black and not blond" become "Go ahead and rob a bank! We'll love you just the way you are!"
God doesn't want us to be content with the states of our hearts and souls, or even this world. Like I've said, this world is in a constant state of disrepair. We're sinners who make messes, hurt other people, and destroy things, sometimes even without meaning to. Who wants to be content with that?
Be just the way you are. Stay just the way you are. These phrases are destructive! You weren't meant to stay the same way forever, never! We were made to learn and grow. Imagine what would happen if we all stayed "just the way we are" from when we were born. We'd all still be babies. God doesn't want us to be content with the sinful state of our souls, he transforms us.
God wants us to become like Jesus. Life is the long journey toward becoming Christlike.
Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us. Ephesians 5:1-2a
Don't be "yourself". "Yourself" is imperfect, sinful, damaged and scarred. Instead, try to become the person God wants you to be.
Amaranthine
Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.
2 Corinthains 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Romans 12:2
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.
I like this post. Gave me a different point of view. You are a very talented writer Amarathine. :)
ReplyDeleteJust...wow.
ReplyDeleteVery good post Amaranthine, and very true.
ReplyDelete-Barriss :-D :-D :-D
This post left me speechless. Your an amazing writer and I really got to think.
ReplyDeleteAnd thats good for me, considering I don't do most of my homework :p
Just Kidding. I'm a little goody-two-shoes. I'd kill myself if I didn't have my homework finished ;)
xx
Amen, sis. Thank you for being able to articulate all the things I know but to be true that I find difficult to stick into words. Love ya <3
ReplyDeletethis is BRILLIANT.
ReplyDeleteOkay, I want to use this post as a guest blog post. What do you think??
ReplyDeleteNot to mention the irony in that to accept Ava as she is - you must stop being intolerant and bullying (if you really are that way), which means you must stop being "yourself". Huh.
ReplyDeleteLove this! Nice to meet you!