Going against the flow is something that is contrary to human nature. We want to hang with the crowd, adopt the most popular opinions, and blend in. Life is easier that way. No controversies. No challenges. Nothing to draw attention to ourselves.
The fact is that people haven’t changed a bit throughout the centuries. I’m reminded of a memorable day in the life of Christ. The crowds were hailing Him as King. Yet, not many days later, the same people were crying, “Crucify Him!”
“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:9)
Have you ever stopped to ask yourself what YOU would have done under the same circumstances? You’ve witnessed undeniable miracles on one hand yet you’ve heard the angry accusations of the throngs on the other hand. You’ve sat under His teaching mesmerized by His wisdom as the Truth of His words pierced your soul. Yet, you’ve also heard him called a heretic. You’ve witnessed miraculously changed lives. You’ve seen and heard the reactions and accusations of the religious leaders.
The truth is, there weren’t many who chose to go against the flow. The time may come in the not too distant future where we will be faced with similar decisions. Will we follow the crowd or will we stay true to the King of kings and Lord of lords? Will we stand for what we know is truth, or will we find ourselves getting lost in the crowds so as not to stand out and be noticed? Will we be like Peter and deny that we ever knew Him, or will we stand with the few who weren’t afraid to admit they followed Him?
These are hard questions that we must be prepared to answer. If you don’t know what you would do, now is the time to settle it in your heart. Now is NOT the time to “ride the fence.” We must be like Paul when he said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.” (2 Timothy 1:12)
Father, I don’t want to be like everyone else. I don’t want to follow along with the crowd in order to avoid being singled out because of my faith. Lord, I want to stand up for You, whether it’s in front of my co-workers, my family, my friends, my neighbors, the government . . . whomever! Lord, I love you and I’m committed to our relationship, by Your grace, covered with Your blood, because of Your mercy. Give me strength to stand, O Lord, in the face of all creation and cry, “Hosanna, blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” Amen!
“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
© Jan Ross
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