Another quote from C.S. Lewis caught my eye. “When the whole world is running toward a cliff, he who is running in the opposite direction appears to have lost his mind.” You may wonder why I like to quote that man so often. When someone with a brilliant mind like his suddenly goes from denying the existence of God to becoming a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, there is nothing lukewarm or shallow about his observations. That particular statement rings with even more truth today than when he wrote it.
I don’t know about you, but I often feel like my Christian life is like swimming up stream against a strong current or trying to move forward with a strong wind in my face. When those around me have bought into lies, the truth sounds like a lie to them. The only time I have been unfriended on Facebook was when I told the absolute truth and my friend preferred to believe the lie. People who are expecting God to change His word to suit this generation are going to be very disappointed, because God’s word exists to change this generation instead.
How can we be sure we are not swept away with the crowd? By keeping our attention on Christ and God’s word. I love the old hymn that tells us to “Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Peter walked on the water as long as he kept his focus on Jesus. It was when he became aware of the storm around him that he began to sink and call out to Jesus to save him. (Matthew 22-33) Jesus doesn’t say that he always tells the truth; what he says is that He is the Truth. (John 14:6) When we focus on God’s word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit within us, we will always be running in the right direction whatever the world is doing. Swimming against the current will make us stronger and, like an airplane taking off, the wind in our face will lift us up above the crowd.
Please don’t misunderstand. I’m not saying that we need to keep our heads in the clouds and not be aware of what’s going on around us. There are opportunities to show love and kindness to those in need and to share our testimony with those who are interested, Our mission is in the world, but not of the world. As long as we keep our focus on our specific calling as God’s son or daughter, there is no danger of being caught up in that crowd running toward disaster. I know that may sound contradictory at first, but it is easier than it sounds when we allow the Holy Spirit to show us what He sees.