Culture wants to shape us like itself. In this regard, it is a force that must be acknowledged and reckoned with for our own spiritual good. Conforming to the world is the enemy of our transformation into Christlikeness. This is why Paul warned us, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NASB). It is hard to break out of all the ways my social connections, surrounding energies, cultural flows, and politics may have misshaped me. It can be done by thinking about what is really happening around us and then examining our thoughts and actions. We all need a biblically-informed-Spirit-directed reshaping. It will require more time with the Potter and less time with the mis-shapers
“Lord, grant that I may be shaped in Your divine likeness; Christlikeness is my goal. And Lord, don’t let me be a chameleon, colored like whatever is touching me. Amen!”
{From “Sonlight for the Soul”, by H. Lamar Smith)
