So, I was on Instagram scrolling one day, like most days. This particular day, I noticed several profiles had adopted the same sort of organizational layout with their feeds. They were all set up with that “block, photo, block” pattern. It was as if a memo went out for everyone to switch at the same time because I hadn’t noticed it before.
Well, I didn’t get that memo. But, I started thinking about how cute it was and I began rethinking my own feed. The thing about me considering this change is that social media is a reflection of who we are and the things we do. So, my page is kind of set up sporadically, like my personality LOL. I post as I feel, in the way I feel reflects me the best.
Anyhoo, I was thinking of changing it because, from what I saw, that’s the thing to do. Now, I have never been a follower. In fact, I don’t even take many hit show suggestions from people, because I watch what I watch.
Yet, here I am, planning out my social media makeover. I sat there trying to figure out what color scheme would work best and what photos I should keep and which to get rid of.
At that moment, I heard God say, “Why?”
Why what, you ask…? Well, God was asking me why I was changing what didn’t need to be changed. The only answer I had was literally, “because everyone else is doing it.”
And of course, I could immediately hear somebody’s mama belting out, “If everybody was jumping off a cliff, would you do it?!” And with that, my makeover ended quicker than it began.
God Chose You to be Different
Spiritually, there are times when we wonder if what others are doing will get us “there” faster. I know there have been times when I have stalked someone else’s steps because theirs seemed to move faster than mine – even though I was doing what God told me to do.
There will even be times when it seems that those who opt not to do it God’s way are ahead of you. Don’t fall for that facade, stay put until He tells you to move.
My point today is “be you”, the you that God created you to be. There will be times when someone else’s activity will cause you to think of readjusting your position without God’s permission. Don’t do it, teammate!
So, What’s the Play Call?
The latest trends that seem to get the most attention may not be your portion, even if everybody’s doing it. I know it isn’t mine. I was created to go the other route and maybe you were, too. Here are some things to remember when you want to change your reflection to match the world:
- God made you just the way He wanted you to be. “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.” Psalms 139:14
- Your differences are why you are chosen. Yep, God wanted you this way so there is no need for you to conform to the way that everyone else is doing things. “For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth.” Deuteronomy 14:2
- Your light cannot shine properly if you are a reflection of others versus Christ. Reflect the true Light, Jesus Christ. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
Don’t change because of what you see. Be sure your moves are done in God’s timing, the way He planned.
To continue with the university example, it is very easy for professors to get immersed in the logistics of how to suddenly learn to deliver online classes. But in the meanwhile, we may forget that our students are worried about things like losing their on-campus job, which leads to their inability to pay off their tuition, which means they might not graduate.
Recently, I read on my news app about the mass shooting in Thousand Oaks in which one man shot twelve people. What I did next is appalling.
I came across Romans 12:15 (ESV) which says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”
The coronavirus outbreak has the world on a widespread shutdown, where life as usual – filled with sports, events, and church and social gatherings – approaches a slow crawl. Many in the United States alone this weekend will face a light self-quarantine, adhering to recommendations of “social distancing” and the cancelation of events involving hundreds of attendees.
The Word of the Lord to all my fellow perfectionists is, “Don’t be afraid to rebuild the ruins.” Stop trying to start over, running away to the idea of a clean slate.
Once we gain an understanding of rebuilding by faith and reliance on God, we will live fearless, victorious lives. Pride wants us to think that we can’t experience God’s goodness without perfection. This puts all the focus on us for work-based salvation.
I want us to live free from the lie of perfectionism, Team. God doesn’t want us bound, especially in false humility to unattainable ideals. We must kill pride and insecurity with love. In this case, self-love and acceptance of God’s love.
No, this is not about fruit. Wait… yes, it is, but not literally (go in your kitchen and check just in case, though). This, teammates, is about the fruit we bear that affects or is affected by others. 
