As someone who’s had their share of sin while growing up, it surprises me to see how sheltered my life really is since becoming an adult and turning my life over to Christ. What many seem to view as the “norm”, I don’t. Cursing for example; I don’t struggle with bad words coming out of my mouth. It’s not that a word doesn’t slip out from another family member in my home, but I really have been blessed not being exposed to vulgar talk on a daily basis.
I have friends of different beliefs, cultures and lifestyles, but my closest friends are all Christian. They share similar values as I do and maintain their innocence as well. As I was browsing around old high school searches, my heart was grieved to find so many people who are either hypocritical “Christians” (calling themselves Christian but their current written self-descriptions of who they are show complete fruitlessness), or are blatantly living a life a part from God.
I just feel like for the first time I’m seeing how shameless so many people are. I am sheltered and I thank God for that! I don’t know the latest music hits; I don’t shop at stores that welcome people in by a wall display of a guy’s pants unzipped or a woman manikin trying to seduce its customers. I don’t know what clubs are good around here—and frankly, I don’t care!
There once was a day when perversion wasn’t broadcasted the way it is today. People kept their dirty laundry in their homes and didn’t force others to look at it and “tolerate” it. There was a day when children were taught to respect adults and especially authorities. Women were expected to act like ladies and men were expected to act like real men. Yet, it seems now days whatever feels good goes, shock value sells, tolerating such behavior is expected, and the lines that divide right from wrong are being erased. It kind of reminds me of 2 Timothy 3:1-5:
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”
The thing is, I feel partly to blame. You see, I’m tucked away in my nice suburban home surrounded by Christian friends. I have been sitting comfortable and naive as the enemy has captured the imaginations and lives of so many; our friends and our family members included. I know God’s mercy isn’t going to last forever.
…Lord, show me where to go from here?