Peer Pressure
Like all periods of contentment, such must come to on end. Usually, abruptly and without warning.
While recently viewing a video discourse on spirituality, I was challenged to evaluate my willingness to admit faith in God. The following query evoked some deep soul searching, the results of which I am not proud: “Would you rather be embarrassed in front of your friends because of your belief in God? Or, embarrassed in God’s presence for sheepishly placing your friends before Him?” (Paraphrased)
Ouch, that really stung. It stung because I indeed kick God aside under the guise of peer pressure. Sadly, it is so conveniently easy to toss him into a ditch whenever the whim arises.
When in the company of individuals who are not interested in God, I tend to quickly scoot Him under a veil of secrecy. I am not so crass as to verbally voice disbelief in God, but neither do I stand firm. Guilt by omission. No doubt, this is distasteful, though not enough to prevent this practice. Well, that is, until I began reflecting on how shallow this behavior is.
Slowly, albeit at the pace of a tortoise, I am becoming more diligent and steadfast in placing God first. Admittedly, this is tough for me. People pose questions that I cannot even begin to answer, other than responding: “I have no tangible proof, I simply believe”.
In this process of learning how to place God first, an anomaly has begun to toke hold: as more and more time passes by, I care less and less about the perceptions and intentions of others (as applies to my spiritual walk). Don't misunderstand, I am still very much cognizant of their negativity; thus, I do not skip around flouting the peace I have been exposed to. That would be foolish. Yet, conversely I am finding a certain level of comfort in letting naysayers see how my “walk” is evolving.
In passing: thankfully God is patient and does not give me the brush-off. December 2011
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