Stop the Wagon!

I tend to get annoyed easily.  In other words, to put it bluntly, things, circumstances, and the behaviors of people can easily get on my nerves.  I notice it.  I’m sorta working on it.  However, when it comes to God and what His word tells us, I can’t help but say something or, at the least, feel hurtful on behalf of my Father.  I am in a very matter-of-fact mood at the moment so here we go.

The fact that it bothers me is not the problem. As a christian, it should bother me.  IT is the bandwagon.  I’ve gotten on it.  I’ve rode it a few miles more than once, jumped off mid-travel, and waved it on by.  I’m familiar with it.  Lately, when I see it, I tend to turn the other way.

What is so bad about the bandwagon?  What is wrong with doing what your friends or the majority are doing?  What is wrong with having company while you learn about the new thing or try out the latest and greatest of whatever?  Nothing.  Nothing is really wrong with it if that’s what you want to do and feel comfortable doing that (key words ‘feel comfortable’ like deep in the gut of your heart).   I’m even kinda thinking I might want to get one of those instant pot things, like some of my coworkers have talked about, to make my terrible relationship with cooking a little better.  The problem with bandwagons is with being a follower every time the internet, social media, and our “neighbors” determine what is popular and trending.  Some trends are rather harmless while others are like a slap in the face to our Creator. The problem is the world is going to hell in a hand basket (whatever designer hand basket that is trending right now), and so much of the latest and greatest is not pleasing in the eyes of God.

We aren’t called to follow the world. Repeating… We are not called to follow the world.

1 John 3:13 “So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.”  I encourage you to back that up and begin at 1 John 3:1-13.  It explains why Cain hated Abel…because Abel was good and Cain was evil.  Cain hated Abel for being good.  That sounds like today’s news.  If we aren’t followers of the world by acting and owning and seeking out what is popular then we are automatically odd, weird, poor, ignorant, snobs and other negative adjectives. I’m telling you it’s okay because we have just ONE to please.  Audience of one, so to speak.

To keep this short, I pray that you will seek His guidance before doing what is popular and trendy (yes, I literally prayed for all reading this to seek His guidance first). Maybe a particular bandwagon is okay.  Maybe you will love it and use it for His glory.  Maybe it’s path is not good. Keep in mind 1 John 5:19 “We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.”

I encourage you to love one another, as the Bible instructs us. I say that to reiterate that loving people has nothing to do with the bandwagons and this isn’t to talk bad about people but to put focus on the ways people act to please other people.  I just want us to remember we don’t have to have what all our friends have, and act like and try to be like one another, if it’s not pleasing to God.  Use your common sense.  Let a few bandwagons pass by, and feel the breeze of satisfactory in not needing to keep up with the Jones’ blow through your hair.  Mainly,  “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” 1 John 5:21♥

JP/Grace and Pink

            Download and print this in letter size. Tape it to your mirror, put it on the     nightstand, fold it and put it in your billfold, or tape it to the inside of the cookie cabinet…read it until it’s hid in your heart. ->—>> Romans 2:12