The Plumbline

In a society where "individuality" is proclaimed in all manner of dress, hairstyle, "body art", jewelry, and the like, it is quite hard to see some of the other not so "obvious" things which make us stand apart from the rest.  In fact, in areas where you might run into some our Amish, Mennonite, or Quaker friends, you might observe their traditions of simple dress, head coverings, and even forgoing the use of automobiles as really making them "stand apart" from the crowd around them.  It isn't their mode of dress or their use of horse-drawn buggies which really sets them apart though - for in their eyes, these are only outward signs of something much more significant on the inside - their faith in God.  Don't get this wrong, for I admire their beliefs, but there are a whole lot more in our society with deep relationships with Jesus who have not chosen this way of dressing or living.  It doesn't mean they don't "stand out...

We are "shaped" by a lot of things ranging from the influence of our parents in our years of youth, the companions we choose as we travel our various paths in life, and even the mentors we choose later in life to act as guides for how it is we will work, grow, and act.  Add to this the various influences of authors we admire, the plethora of input from media of all sorts, and the ever-evolving "social" content we are exposed to each and every day and you can see how it is we might get a little skewed too much in one direction, or easily distracted from the stuff which really matters in life.  Input abounds - filtering what we "put in" is quite a different matter - one neglected by a good many of us at least some of the time!  Instead of being "haphazardly" influenced or shaped by whatever comes our way in life, wouldn't it be more productive and safer for each of us to actually be a little better focused on what it is we will choose to allow...