In and Not Of

"Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into without even thinking. Instead fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out . . Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of maturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you." Romans 12:12

"Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. his purpose is far deeper; He wants us to make us like himself before He takes us to heaven. This is our great privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny." Rick Warren

Messages swirl in a circus ring,
All with different songs to sing,
Easy money, the golden ticket,
Shouting crowds in lines to picket,
Just for twenty minutes a day,
You can melt that flab away.
Twelve Steps, Eight minute Abs,
Shiny ribbons wrapping the gift of gab,
Early retirement, the next quick fix,
Each pulling out of our bag of tricks,
Just add water, Simmer and Stir,
All keep spinning to paint the blur.
A frenzied dance in the theater of the absurd,
Until breaking through, a gentle voice is heard.
I catch my breath and it all becomes clear
As the voice of God keeps drawing near.
I stand in the noise, filled with His peace,
And the volume of the chaos begins to decrease.
Stay in the ring until they hear Him too.
Learning to sway but not to imbue.
A delicate balance to be in and not of,
Adding to the mix His compassion and love.
Sleeves rolled up, no fear of sticky fingers
Yet taking care of stains that might linger.
Eyes on Him, feet by their side,
Whispering the story of why He died.
Whispers are cutting, though not very loud,
Like His humble life that lived for the crowd.