We don’t get to choose the times we live in. And as much as we might like things to be different, we cannot control how others choose to direct the course of their life. While we have a responsibility to our neighbor, in the end, we’re only responsible for ourselves and our household.
Of course, there’s a part of us that would love it if everyone thought and believed the same things as we did. And we might even reasonably and lovingly try to persuade others to adopt our position when we believe we’re on the side of truth and goodness. But we still cannot make them change their mind on an issue. And we likely only bring more division when our persuasion becomes bullying.
There comes a point in which we must shake the dust off our feet and allow others to be responsible for the decisions they make. And this is true even when we find ourselves holding otherwise unpopular opinions.
A life of faith doesn’t require everyone to hold the same position we do. But it does require us to faithfully commit to living the life God has called us to live and taking responsibility for the things that are ours to own.
As such, we can let go of the expectations we place on others and the pressure to conform to them as well. This is not to become indifferent, but simply to focus on the choices we can make.
For instance, regardless of how others might view marriage and sexuality, we can still hold to the sanctity of these things for ourselves. And regardless of the values others are teaching their kids, or hold in the public square, we can still instruct our children in righteousness and hold to this for ourselves as well.
Whatever it looks like, we can stay true to who God has called us to be and the kingdom he has given us to lead.
There’s no need to fret when the world does what the world does. Stay committed to the path God has given you, even when it’s just you and your family.
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash
