Don't Be Afraid to Stand Out

In our culture, there seems to be a lot of pressure to conform. You know, to fit in with everyone you're friends with, and only do what is 'culturally acceptable'.

I find that there's a lot of pressure (shall we call it peer pressure?), especially during the teen years. There's pressure to fit in - by getting into the cliques, by wearing "cool" clothes, and just by generally blending in with everyone around us.

We want to be liked by our peers, and there's nothing wrong with that.

But I'm here today to tell you: You don't have to conform. You don't have to be like everyone around you. You don't have to be the teenager who rebels, the guy who sleeps around, or the girl who goes to every single party. You don't have to be popular to be loved.

Because that's what the culture says is cool. That's what the world around us is doing.

You can rise above that. You can be so much more. Don't listen to what the world says about you; set your expectations for yourself higher.

The Bible calls us Christians to be sanctified, or set apart, from the world. It also calls us to be a light to those around us who don't know Christ. But how can we be a light when we're doing all the same things that they are doing? How can we be set apart if those around us can't tell that we're different?

The Lord calls us to live set apart lives for Him so we can shine as lights in this dark world.

So don't be afraid to stand out! We can lead by example by rising above what the world says and being different from them in every aspect of our lives.

"That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world." ~Philippians 2:15 KJV

<3 ashley

What are some ways that we can be different from the world?

Do you struggle to stand out and stand for God?