“Be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2) It is a pressure we all feel–the pressure to conform. Even though God creates diversity (and seems to love it!), the world fears it and exerts pressure (read crowd control) for people to ” get in step”. Daniel 3 is a familiar story. While it does not argue against submission to appropriate authority ( that would be anarchy), it does teach respectful but stubborn noncomformity to any king, parent, government, council, or pastor who requires us to act against the clear dictates of scripture and conscience. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were “stepping to the beat of a different drummer” long before Thoreau was even born! How free are you from the expectations of those around you where worship is concerned? How true are you being to your own conscience and the teaching of God’s word? Do you sometime “go along” so as to not to rock the boat? More as the week progresses. I am grateful to be your Pastor. Don
This made me think of the story I read last night that was in the news about a month ago. This had to do with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, the director of the Houston National Cemetery and other government officials prohibiting not only the use of “God” and “Jesus” during funeral services at the cemetery, but even prohibiting members of veteran’s organizations from saying “God bless you,” to families attending the funeral services. Additionally, the cemetery director had required that families submit their prayers in writing in advance for approval before the funerals.
The story that I read contrasted this with Abraham Lincoln’s Second Innaugural Address, in particular, the last 3/4 of the 3rd paragraph and the final fourth paragraph. The author of the story pointed out how President Lincoln regarded God in connection to the circumstances of the Civil War.