Disruptive
Disruptive Faith: Choosing God's Kingdom Over Culture
In a world that often seems to be spiraling into chaos, where cultural norms shift like sand beneath our feet, how do we as believers stand firm? How do we navigate the tumultuous waters of societal expectations while remaining true to our faith? The answer lies in embracing a disruptive faith – one that challenges the status quo and chooses God's kingdom over the fleeting trends of our culture.
Let's journey back to ancient Egypt, where we find a powerful illustration of this disruptive faith in action. The book of Exodus introduces us to two remarkable women, Shipra and Pua, Hebrew midwives living under the oppressive rule of Pharaoh. These women faced a harrowing dilemma when Pharaoh commanded them to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. In that moment, they had to choose between obeying the earthly king or the King of Kings.
Their decision was nothing short of revolutionary. Despite the potential consequences, Shipra and Pua chose to fear God rather than man. They allowed the boys to live, directly disobeying Pharaoh's cruel edict. Their actions were not just an act of civil disobedience; they were a profound statement of faith and a disruption of the cultural norms of their time.
This ancient story bears striking relevance to our modern world. How often do we find ourselves in situations where the culture around us demands one thing, but our faith calls us to another? It might not be a matter of life and death, but the principle remains the same. Will we conform to the world's expectations, or will we stand firm in our convictions?
The apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation begins in our inner world – our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. As Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Our internal reality shapes our external actions.
Consider for a moment: what occupies your thoughts? What drives your decisions? Are you more concerned with pleasing others or pleasing God? The answers to these questions reveal a lot about the kingdom we're truly serving.
Shipra and Pua's courageous actions teach us several vital lessons about living out a disruptive faith:
1. Choose faith over fear: In the face of potential persecution, these women trusted God rather than succumbing to fear of earthly authorities.
2. Prioritize purpose over pride: They understood their God-given purpose was to preserve life, not to seek personal gain or avoid discomfort.
3. Embrace holy discontent: They were not satisfied with the status quo when it conflicted with God's will.
4. Exercise wise courage: Their response to Pharaoh was both brave and calculated, demonstrating that faith and wisdom can go hand in hand.
Living out this kind of disruptive faith isn't always easy. It often means swimming against the current of popular opinion, risking ridicule or rejection. But remember, we serve a God who specializes in turning the world upside down. Jesus Himself was the ultimate disruptor, challenging religious norms and social hierarchies, all while embodying perfect love and truth.
So, how can we cultivate this disruptive faith in our own lives?
First, we must be intentional about renewing our minds through regular engagement with God's Word. As we meditate on Scripture day and night, our thought patterns begin to align with God's truth rather than the world's lies.
Second, we need to cultivate a hunger for righteousness. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). When we develop an appetite for God's ways, the empty promises of culture become less appealing.
Third, we must be willing to stand alone if necessary. Joshua's bold declaration, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15), is a powerful example of choosing God's kingdom even when it means going against the majority.
Fourth, we need to remember that our actions have ripple effects. Shipra and Pua's decision to spare the Hebrew boys ultimately played a role in preserving the lineage that would lead to the Messiah. Our seemingly small acts of faith and obedience can have far-reaching consequences we may never fully understand in this life.
Lastly, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that when we receive the Holy Spirit, we will be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It's through His power that we can live out a truly disruptive faith.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let's challenge ourselves to be more like Shipra and Pua. Let's be willing to disrupt the status quo when it conflicts with God's will. Let's choose to feed our spirits rather than our flesh, to pursue conviction over compromise, and to stand firm in our faith even when the culture pushes back.
Remember, we serve a God who owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. When we align ourselves with His kingdom, we tap into a power and purpose far greater than anything this world can offer.
So, let us be brave in our belief in Jesus, bold in our defense of the gospel, and brilliant on whatever platform God has given us. Let us live out the legacy of our names as children of the Most High God. And may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of a faith that dares to disrupt the darkness and shine the light of Christ in a world desperate for hope.
In the end, the question we must all answer is this: Which kingdom are we serving? Are we bowing to the Pharaohs of our day, or are we standing firm in our allegiance to the King of Kings? The choice is ours. May we have the courage to choose wisely, to live disruptively, and to let our light shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
In a world that often seems to be spiraling into chaos, where cultural norms shift like sand beneath our feet, how do we as believers stand firm? How do we navigate the tumultuous waters of societal expectations while remaining true to our faith? The answer lies in embracing a disruptive faith – one that challenges the status quo and chooses God's kingdom over the fleeting trends of our culture.
Let's journey back to ancient Egypt, where we find a powerful illustration of this disruptive faith in action. The book of Exodus introduces us to two remarkable women, Shipra and Pua, Hebrew midwives living under the oppressive rule of Pharaoh. These women faced a harrowing dilemma when Pharaoh commanded them to kill all newborn Hebrew boys. In that moment, they had to choose between obeying the earthly king or the King of Kings.
Their decision was nothing short of revolutionary. Despite the potential consequences, Shipra and Pua chose to fear God rather than man. They allowed the boys to live, directly disobeying Pharaoh's cruel edict. Their actions were not just an act of civil disobedience; they were a profound statement of faith and a disruption of the cultural norms of their time.
This ancient story bears striking relevance to our modern world. How often do we find ourselves in situations where the culture around us demands one thing, but our faith calls us to another? It might not be a matter of life and death, but the principle remains the same. Will we conform to the world's expectations, or will we stand firm in our convictions?
The apostle Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This transformation begins in our inner world – our thoughts, beliefs, and attitudes. As Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, "As a man thinks in his heart, so is he." Our internal reality shapes our external actions.
Consider for a moment: what occupies your thoughts? What drives your decisions? Are you more concerned with pleasing others or pleasing God? The answers to these questions reveal a lot about the kingdom we're truly serving.
Shipra and Pua's courageous actions teach us several vital lessons about living out a disruptive faith:
1. Choose faith over fear: In the face of potential persecution, these women trusted God rather than succumbing to fear of earthly authorities.
2. Prioritize purpose over pride: They understood their God-given purpose was to preserve life, not to seek personal gain or avoid discomfort.
3. Embrace holy discontent: They were not satisfied with the status quo when it conflicted with God's will.
4. Exercise wise courage: Their response to Pharaoh was both brave and calculated, demonstrating that faith and wisdom can go hand in hand.
Living out this kind of disruptive faith isn't always easy. It often means swimming against the current of popular opinion, risking ridicule or rejection. But remember, we serve a God who specializes in turning the world upside down. Jesus Himself was the ultimate disruptor, challenging religious norms and social hierarchies, all while embodying perfect love and truth.
So, how can we cultivate this disruptive faith in our own lives?
First, we must be intentional about renewing our minds through regular engagement with God's Word. As we meditate on Scripture day and night, our thought patterns begin to align with God's truth rather than the world's lies.
Second, we need to cultivate a hunger for righteousness. Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled" (Matthew 5:6). When we develop an appetite for God's ways, the empty promises of culture become less appealing.
Third, we must be willing to stand alone if necessary. Joshua's bold declaration, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15), is a powerful example of choosing God's kingdom even when it means going against the majority.
Fourth, we need to remember that our actions have ripple effects. Shipra and Pua's decision to spare the Hebrew boys ultimately played a role in preserving the lineage that would lead to the Messiah. Our seemingly small acts of faith and obedience can have far-reaching consequences we may never fully understand in this life.
Lastly, we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised that when we receive the Holy Spirit, we will be His witnesses "to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8). It's through His power that we can live out a truly disruptive faith.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let's challenge ourselves to be more like Shipra and Pua. Let's be willing to disrupt the status quo when it conflicts with God's will. Let's choose to feed our spirits rather than our flesh, to pursue conviction over compromise, and to stand firm in our faith even when the culture pushes back.
Remember, we serve a God who owns "the cattle on a thousand hills" (Psalm 50:10). He is the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. When we align ourselves with His kingdom, we tap into a power and purpose far greater than anything this world can offer.
So, let us be brave in our belief in Jesus, bold in our defense of the gospel, and brilliant on whatever platform God has given us. Let us live out the legacy of our names as children of the Most High God. And may our lives be a testament to the transformative power of a faith that dares to disrupt the darkness and shine the light of Christ in a world desperate for hope.
In the end, the question we must all answer is this: Which kingdom are we serving? Are we bowing to the Pharaohs of our day, or are we standing firm in our allegiance to the King of Kings? The choice is ours. May we have the courage to choose wisely, to live disruptively, and to let our light shine brightly in a world that desperately needs it.
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