We live in such an influential society, don’t we? Do you know that if you go to a different culture, once you get there you will notice everyone believes and opinions but after a while you don’t tend to notice them anymore, why? Because their beliefs have become yours.

We take too much to heart and we let unimportant things get in the way of Jesus’ Truth. Paul clearly writes that nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God. But yet we lose sight and we’re unable to see his love in the first place because we are too wrapped up in respecting and loving the people around that we believe our idols instead of our Father in heaven who created us.

We need to remember that we are created by God and not the world. We need to stop letting our eyes fix on earthly and worldly matters such as drinking and hanging around with friends all day and work and reline our heart to God. Let’s focus on the things of Heaven and see earth through Jesus’ eyes. (Colossians 3:2)

Yes, we live in a world of hurt, pain and brokenness and there are many people who aren’t believers of Christ and they don’t understand their true worth or know where they can feel truly satisfied. But we have a Father in Heaven who tells us not to have other idols, He says only to worship Him (2^nd commandment)

It isn’t only the people around us who influence us, it is also the things we watch, the music we listen to and what we see on our phones and laptops. Social media pulls us away in an instant. Instead of picking up our bible or praying we say ‘Oh I’ll just have a look on Facebook or Instagram’ Before you know it bam! It’s been 2 hours and all you’ve done is scroll through people’s accounts being nosey or watching videos about food or fake news. All these things are a distraction and you are falling for it! We both know that praying or reading the Word or listening to some worship changes everything and is so much better for us. But still we are caught in the trap and we can’t seem to get out of it. Do we even realise that it is a trap?

We need to start living influential lives that will impact the world around us instead of following what everyone else is doing. Let’s stand up whilst the world is sitting. Let’s be the ‘different’ that God called us to be!

1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.