#23 Contrarian! Thoughts from the Back Deck...

1 Peter 3:8 Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind. 9 Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. 

We are called to be contrarians! 

Maybe a definition would help: opposing or rejecting popular opinion; going against current practice.

Contrary to popular opinion, giving people money, alcohol or drugs does not help them. This picture is of a man asking passers-by for weed. His sign even says "God bless you" for helping him out with his "need for weed".

Our society has a lot of things we as followers of Jesus should be contrarians to.

Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone "is doing it". 
Be a contrarian: bless your future spouse and yourself by waiting. 

Contrary to popular opinion, the role of parents is not to be our kids' best friends but to raise them in love and fear of the Lord (biblical fear...that is for another topic!)

Be a contrarian: parents bless your children by helping them learn the word "no", and who God is, setting behavioral expectations, and not giving them cell phones and social media accounts too early.

Contrary to popular opinion, no one cares what we do every minute of every day as the world does not revolve around us.

Be a contrarian: show others the joy and blessing that comes in giving/ serving/ stepping into other people's shoes. 

Contrary to popular opinion, the government can't fix all our problems or legislate behavior. 

Be a contrarian: Bless others by helping them know that Jesus cares about them and all areas of their life. Trust Jesus to fix what needs fixing in ourselves, our loved ones, and our culture.

The list goes on and on...

As followers of Jesus let unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind, be the filter in which we live and engage in the ever-changing culture of this world we live in.

Peace out,
Andy  

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