Conviction and Conversation

Ever been in a situation where what you believe was harshly or critically questioned?  Maybe you were even the brunt of gossip, rumor, criticism, or slander.  Still...you couldn't shake the feeling deep inside that you needed to stick to your guns.  It's not easy when it seems like you're the only one (or one of a very few) whose thinking and actions are in contrast to those around you.  Situations like this test our character and convictions.

Once, the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a church he founded in Thessalonica.  This city was the capital city in the Macedonian province, and in the heart of the oppressive Roman Empire.  Paul wrote this letter because he had heard that folks there were sticking to their guns - even in the midst of opposition.  He, himself, was encouraged by their faithfulness.  So he wrote the letter to reciprocally encourage the church to continue to be strong in their convictions no matter what others said.

Paul had his share of conviction-standing moments.  Once he was the church's number one enemy.  He killed many early Christians in an attempt to curb a new religious movement that threatened his way of belief.  But after his conversion moment - where he encountered the living and loving Jesus - his convictions changed.  In many situations after this point, the persecutor became the persecuted.  Many of Paul's letters include details about suffering and imprisonment as a result of sticking to his convictions.

So what are our 'black sheep' moments?  What do we face that causes us to stick out like a cultural sore thumb?  Do we stand up for the person being bullied?  Do we share the good news about God's love for the world?  Do we choose to say something about a joke that targets people because they're outside the 'norm' of society?  Do we let someone else have the easy and convenient parking space?  Do we seek out to accept and affirm all people - even our enemies?  Even the enemies of God?

Newsflash: at times, we're all enemies of God.  Because at times, we all want to do things our way and look out for number one.  That's one of the paradoxes we live with.  God wired a survival instinct within us.  But I believe God wants us to expand our survival instinct beyond the self.  God wants us to think about others.   Instead of seeing what's 'wrong' with and always competing with others, God uses other people to remind us of the diversity that exists in this world.

And with diversity comes differing ideas, opinions, and convictions.  How we deal with our differences is one of the biggest challenges God allows us to experience.  Sure, we can stand on our convictions in the midst of cultural diversity.  But we must not become islands of 'righteousness' when doing so.  We should allow room for conversation, reconciliation, and transformation - for all involved.  God wants us to seek higher and better ways.  God wants us to know what breaks God's heart.  God wants us to stand against oppression and injustices.  God wants His convictions to be ours.  Let us learn and reflect the convictions of our Creator - even when they're not easy or popular.