environmental concerns

I am a thermometer.

Of course not literally but metaphorically speaking, I am. If you've never heard the thermometer versus thermostat theory, let me explain my dear. A thermometer simple measures the temperature; it adapts to its surroundings. A thermostat changes the temperature. Now, apply these simple definitions to people, and voila! You got it? Good.

Now, back to the I am a thermometer part. I am very easily affected by other people's moods, whether that be up or down. It's not a good thing per say, but thats just how things are. Sure, I can easily fit in and adapt. It has no major consequence in most things, but it's not a good thing when it comes to being a Christian. This weekend at church, the Master's Commission students performed one of their skits they take on the road to high schools. Now, looking pass the cheesiness perfect for the targeted teenage audience, it had a good message: environmental concerns. 

It portrayed a world where the "system" dictated what you should do which was basically conform, be like everyone else, DO NOT different. It told the story of Liberty, a girl who believed in God but never really followed him; instead, she followed the ways of the world. Until one day, she finally realized she should be living for Christ and not for the world. She also realized it was up to her to change her environment; she knew she had to tell others the good news. Yet, upon hearing her story, they just laughed and threw in her face all the things she had done before. It was not easy for her. Things she did before she was a Christian were still holding her captive. She was still bonded by her sins. 

The point of the skit was to show us that we have to change our environment in order to change us and those around us. We can't live mediocre lives as Christians simply believing in God but not acting upon this belief. What is faith without works anyway? We HAVE to be thermostats, not thermometers. 

We can not let our sins affect us. Instead, we must take hold of them, hand them over to the Lord, and accept his forgiveness. As Christians, we should not adapt but change.

In Romans 12:2 it says  "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." 

God tells us straight up that we are not part of this world and that they will not understand us. (The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 1 John 3:1) It continues to say in 1 John 2 that: "The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." And then in chapter 5 it continues with: "Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."

God makes it clear through John's writing that we are to be no part of this world in any way, shape, or form, but instead, be transformed and overcome the world by believing in him.

This is where the title comes in: is your environment in danger? Are you controlling the temperature or are you merely acting as a thermometer? It's actually quite easy to fall to the status of the latter; your thermostat is probably just broken. I would call the repairman though, or rather, call on the repairman. Summer isn't approaching. It isn't right around the corner. It's here. And if you're use to having a support system of Christians, this is prime time for that system to fade out for a few months while people go home, vacation, etc, etc. Only God can change your environment and keep you where you should be, not where the world wants you to be. 

So, next time you're in a group of people, look around: are you changing the environment? Or are you simply adapting? 

Are you conforming?

Or transforming?