I'm cool! Yeah whatever, but anyway ...

As I get older I began to have the opportunity (I think you can call this an opportunity!) to see trends return. Not all of course, but some. They may be fashion trends, music trends, or even expressions; and it got me thinking as to why; why do we see this?

Why would my child be embarrassed at something I wear, say, or listen to one day, and have it suddenly be ok the next? Perhaps it's OK because others are doing it now; it's not must me. Perhaps it's simply because it's a new and fresh idea again. Now before you think I'm making this a child/adult thing I'm not; I follow that pattern too.

Most of what I speak of is not all that dramatic; in fact this thought process was triggered by a simple picture I saw from a friend regarding an old fashion trend. However I think it's speaks volumes culturally and spiritually; we want to fit in. As a Christian who is open about his faith (which is not always that popular) I seem to think I don't mind being different. However when I get dressed in the morning I don't hide the fact that I want to look good and acceptable by today's standards which are culturally driven. Am I driven by vanity? No. But I don't want to walk out the door dressed in clothes that don't match (by today's fashion world order). Though I am colorblind so sometimes that happens anyway!

Yet as always, the Bible isn't silent:

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2 ESV)

So do I think dressing nice according to popular culture is evil; no, at least not intrinsically. So while I know this is overstated, it's just a surface level example to a deeper problem:

• Swearing is fine as long as you don't offend someone, it's how we talk now.
• Pornography is ok, all guys look at it occasionally.
• Everyone gossips a little.
• I don't want twins, and it's just called a pregnancy reduction; more people do it now too.
• What exactly is the definition of "life" anyway ... 
• Forgiveness is easier than asking permission, right?
• Divorce isn't a last resort that pains God; it's just what you do when you don't get along anymore.
• I could go on and on ...

My point is that so easily I can become "conformed" to the pattern of this world if I'm not looking. Patterns of change don't start with big movements; they are often individual steps that take us from one world to the next. Let us turn our steps back to Him, one step at a time, and start taking this world back for Christ.

... now if "big hair" comes back, I'm scared!

~Matthew