Against the Current

I read a quote today that gave me goose bumps: 

"We are perfectly useless as Christ-exalting Christians if all we do is conform to the world around us." 

Swimming against the current is exhausting. It is so much easier to just sit back and move with the current. But is that doing any good in furthering the Kingdom of God?

Think about this: a weak fish will just let the current push them downstream, but a strong fish will swim upstream against the current and will only get stronger. 

A commonly quoted Bible verse addresses this topic:

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." -Romans 12:2 

Don't conform... There is so much beauty, strength, and uniqueness found when you don't conform. Not everyone will appreciate that uniqueness, but our lives aren't about pleasing everyone. Our lives are supposed to be pleasing and righteous to our God. Even if He may seem like the only one at times that appreciates your differences from a world where conforming is the norm, don't conform. 

Yes you will slip and fall. I do everyday. But that's grace. And that's where the 2nd part of this verse in Romans becomes so important--> be transformed by the renewing of your mind. 

What should we do to stray away from conforming to the patterns of the world? 

We should be transformed. I think part of what transforms us is the fight it takes to not conform. But another part of what transforms us is the renewing of our minds. Feeling weary, exhausted, and hopeless after swimming against the current? Renew your mind. Take some time out of your day, clear your mind, and ask God to renew you. Spend time in His Word, filling your thoughts with His truth. It seems small, but it's truly amazing how much of a difference stepping back for a moment and choosing to spend some time with God can make. 

So keep swimming upstream. Don't be afraid to go against the current. Step out of conformity and be transformed by renewing your mind in Christ.