A famous preacher of a few years ago actually taught his students to copy and preach his sermons as his would certainly be better than their own. This was in most cases true and probably appreciated by the parishioners. It is also certain that the preachers who took his advice never became the communicators they could have and should have become.
Over many years it is to be noted that many men and women, including those of the cloth, are utterly miserable due to their having become the near perfect embodiment of the person they are pretending to be. An old line has it that, all humans are essentially the same, yet each human is different. Margaret Mead said it this way:
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
The trap of attempting to “be like your idol” is that in so doing you can never be you. And the you inside your skin was made to be you and not someone else. Shannon Alder encapsulated this truth with this:
“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.”
Paul dealt with this in Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
In Paul’s day and in ours, society at large is designed to press each person into a pre-determined mold with external and internal pressure so severe that it destroys individual personality. This produces entire societies marching to a predetermined beat to which we deceive ourselves is right, yet all the while the true person is screaming, this is not me!
Limited regimentation serves a purpose, but the total conformity to any group mentality is a form of suicide. Pause and recall the Grape Kool-Aid of Jim Jones.
Paul defines the correct process when he pits conforming against transforming. The Greek for transform is no surprise: metamorphoo. It means to change from one form to another. In the case of Christians, we, as the caterpillar are transformed into a butterfly, are transformed from beings of the kingdom of darkness into the children of the Kingdom of Light.
The times we are now living in gives a little insight to the problem faced by Paul and the First Century believers: The world at large was telling them to shut up, keep your superstitions inside your four walls and do not bother us with such myths. Caesar cares and thinks for us, we do not need “God” interfering with our life. You too must think and do as Caesar mandates.
As Peter said, we must obey God, rather than squeeze into Caesar’s Mold.
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT help from Oral Deckard
Over many years it is to be noted that many men and women, including those of the cloth, are utterly miserable due to their having become the near perfect embodiment of the person they are pretending to be. An old line has it that, all humans are essentially the same, yet each human is different. Margaret Mead said it this way:
“Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.”
The trap of attempting to “be like your idol” is that in so doing you can never be you. And the you inside your skin was made to be you and not someone else. Shannon Alder encapsulated this truth with this:
“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.”
Paul dealt with this in Romans 12:2 “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
In Paul’s day and in ours, society at large is designed to press each person into a pre-determined mold with external and internal pressure so severe that it destroys individual personality. This produces entire societies marching to a predetermined beat to which we deceive ourselves is right, yet all the while the true person is screaming, this is not me!
Limited regimentation serves a purpose, but the total conformity to any group mentality is a form of suicide. Pause and recall the Grape Kool-Aid of Jim Jones.
Paul defines the correct process when he pits conforming against transforming. The Greek for transform is no surprise: metamorphoo. It means to change from one form to another. In the case of Christians, we, as the caterpillar are transformed into a butterfly, are transformed from beings of the kingdom of darkness into the children of the Kingdom of Light.
The times we are now living in gives a little insight to the problem faced by Paul and the First Century believers: The world at large was telling them to shut up, keep your superstitions inside your four walls and do not bother us with such myths. Caesar cares and thinks for us, we do not need “God” interfering with our life. You too must think and do as Caesar mandates.
As Peter said, we must obey God, rather than squeeze into Caesar’s Mold.
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
IT help from Oral Deckard
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