I promised Connor all year long that when summer hit he could have a Facebook. Well, come to find out, you have to be 13 to use FB, Twitter, Myspace, Blog, ANYTHING! I had no idea! So, as we were trying to set something up with all of these the questions come:
"All of my friends have a _____(whatever) and they are 11!"
Mom's answer, "Well, the rules say 13, we should abide by the rules."
Then Connor says, "Can't you just make one for me to use? How do all of my friends have one?"
Then Mom says, "No, I can't make one for you. The rules say you must be 13 to use...period. You are not 13. As Christians, we are to abide by the rules unless they go directly against God's Word."
Connor asks, "So, how do all my friends have one?"
Mom answers, "Either their parents did not know it was against the terms to set it up for them or the parents, child, or both have chosen not to follow the rules."
Really, I have to admit, the thought crossed my mind to just set one up for him, but that would not be a Godly example. Sometimes it is hard to go against the flow, and even seems silly in cases like setting up a Facebook or a Blog, but I do believe as Christians we are to follow the "rules of the land." Things like this is what sets us apart from the world...to go against the flow and say no when everyone else is saying yes. So many Christians don't, they still do the things of the world, even if they are not right in God's eyes, and therefore unbelievers "cannot find the light" in the world...because the "Christian's light is dimmed."
I see Connor's point, and often times find myself "out of the crowd" because I am different. I won't listen to certain music (or tune it out), or go to certain social gatherings, or have a "drink" with friends over "gossip".However, I know these choices will honor God, and when I make the wrong choice I suffer the consequences, and have to ask for forgiveness, from both my friends and God.
I don't want you to think I am lonely or anything, I have TONS of friends, both Christian and not, but most of them would never invite me over or out on a weekend b/c of where I stand on "worldly social" issues. It is not easy to separate yourself from the world, and sometimes it may leave you feeling like the outcast, but trust me, those people are watching and learning from you. The most important thing you can do is to be there for them when they need you and continue to be a Godly friend. It will be you they come to when something turns their life upside down. Then maybe your Godly witness will in turn lead them to Christ or a recommitment to Him.
"Lord, please help me to always do what is right in your eyes and not let the world distract me. Please help me to always do Your will, no matter what. Please help me to turn from the ways of the World and to always keep my eyes on You. In Jesus name I pray, Amen."
God Bless,
The Sooner Seven :)
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