Alone in the Crowd

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

ROMANS 12:2

WE ALL WANT TO FIT IN with the group, don’t we? No one wants to stand out as different; kids who are different often get picked on or ignored. But what if fitting in means doing or wearing or saying something that you feel embarrassed about or you know your parents or God would not be happy about?

The Bible tells us to follow God, not the things of this world. That includes trying to fit in when fitting in means we lower our standards or make choices that don’t make us feel good inside. God gives us guidance about everything we need to know in the Bible, and he’s very clear—he wants us to follow his instructions, not what other people tell us to do or pressure us into doing.

So the next time you’re tempted to do something you don’t want to just so you’ll fit in, stop. Ask yourself if you’re trying to please God or the world. Ask yourself if you feel good about the choice you’re making. If you don’t, chances are God doesn’t either. These moments are always great times to pray and ask God to lead you. There may be times when you’re different from the crowd and you stand out—and that can be a great thing.

DO

What’s the worst song you can think of, the song you dislike more than any other song? Play it if you can. What is it about that song that drives you crazy?

If a friend said you could only listen to that song for the entire time you hung out together, what would you do? How is that like what happens when we try to fit in with kids who are making choices we don’t agree with?

PRAY

Dear God,

Thank you for giving me a plan in the Bible for how to make good choices to stay healthy and happy. Please help me remember that it’s okay for me to tell friends no when they want me to do something I don’t feel comfortable doing. Help me stay strong. Amen.

READ

Romans 12:1; Hebrews 10:26