Conformity vs. Letting Your Light Shine

How much are we concerned with fitting in? Do we try to hide our knowledge of God in order to be more like worldly teens? There are times to not flaunt what we have been blessed with, but we should not be hiding who we truly are and should be.

I write for my school newspaper as a columnist, and a few weeks back a column idea came to me—conformity. Our world is obsessed with fitting in and being like everyone else. There are very few people in this world who want to be seen as different from the norm.

As I wrote the column, I considered how in this day and age it is hard to be different and stand out, especially for believing in something.

From a young age, we are set apart. We leave school to go to the Feast of Tabernacles. We do not eat pork hotdogs or pepperoni pizza, nor do we celebrate Christmas. To many people, this is unfathomable. But we know it is the right thing to do and strive to do it through thick and thin.

A light to the world

God says to show the right way to the world and to not hide our light. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).

Working on bettering ourselves and becoming more Christlike is not only for our benefit, but also to praise and serve God. Just like hiding a lamp under a basket would be pointless, so is perfecting godly character just to hide it when others come around.

Showing faith by works

We should not be a Christian just on the Sabbath. Our behavior should remain a constant. No matter where we are, we should have the same attitude, speech and mannerisms.

We should not just claim Christianity, but it should exude from us. Our every word and move should be respectful and courteous. And we should reflect Jesus’ example not only in words.

The Bible says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Who we are should be exhibited, whatever we are doing; and often, what we do means more than just what we say.

Our main concern in life should not be about fitting in with this world. We live in it, but are not to be of it. Instead, we should be focusing on fitting in with God’s expectations and pleasing Him. The expectations of this current world are far from God’s. And the fleeting joys of this world are nothing compared to the wonderful future God has promised!

Danielle Rehor is a high school junior who attends the Church of God, a Worldwide Association, in Louisville, Kentucky.

For more about standing out from the crowd when necessary by saying no, see the article on our new LifeHopeandTruth.com website about “Saying No.”