There was a time that when someone did something weird, he/she would be called a turkey. (I know I’m dating myself.) In other words, if you were called a turkey, you weren’t politically correct, or you weren’t cool like the rest of your group. We tend to think that this only happens when we are in our teens. But peer pressure is always there, no matter what the age. It is my firm belief that when we give in to peer pressure, and act like everyone else, we are sacrificing happiness. This is because we are always second-guessing what we are saying, or how we’re acting.
Dare to be Yourself
God did not intend for us to squelch our personalities. He asks us to imitate Christ, and with His help, we will become more God-like. However, this does not mean we have to become someone we are not meant to be. Remember, God made us, “Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands (Psalm 119:73).” God not only formed our bodies, but our personalities. Isn’t it great? How boring would we be if we were like everyone else? It’s really our differences that enhance our relationships with each other. It’s the differences that create the mystery and appreciation we experience in one another.
Dare to Stand your Ground
You can bet that when you are determined to be yourself, as God wants you to be, that someone will criticize you. When that happens, know you are in good company. Take a look at King David. When he brought the ark of the Lord to Jerusalem, “Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the LORD with all his might, while he and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the LORD with shouts and the sound of trumpets (II Samuel 6:14 & 15).” Why David was dancing in his underwear – ephod- we don’t know. Maybe his clothes were too constrictive for his dance moves. One thing is for sure, his wife, didn’t like it. “ As the ark of the LORD was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD, she despised him in her heart (II Samuel 6:16)” “ When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, ‘How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would’ (II Samuel 6:20)!” Obviously in Michal’s eyes, David wasn’t being PC. However, David tells her that he was dancing before God, and does not internalize her criticism. David knows his heart was right before the Lord, and dancing with all his might before Him in his joy was perfectly acceptable.
Dare to Laugh
God created humor. No, the Bible doesn’t overtly say so, but it is stated in Hebrews 4, that Jesus experienced everything we humans have – that means humor. To be honest, Jesus was probably pretty funny. Think about it. If you have a funny parent, you learn from first-hand experience what makes people laugh.
“Jesus shows that we should experience joy and laughter. Jesus experienced it, and as the Son of God, made in God’s image, God experiences joy as well. Jesus even describes the angels rejoicing (Luke 15:10), (Compelling Truth, n.d.).” So don’t be afraid to laugh a big belly laugh at what you think is funny. Chances are, God is laughing with you.
This Thanksgiving holiday, let’s enjoy family, friends and good food. Don’t be afraid to be the biggest turkey of your family. Relax and have fun. And in all things give God the glory!
“Did Jesus Ever Laugh?” (n.d.). Retrieved Nov. 27, 2019, from https://www.compellingtruth.org/did-Jesus-ever-laugh.html.
