Counterculture
What does it mean to live counterculturally?
A phrase that has popped up multiple times in various situations in my life this week is “upside-down kingdom.” As in living differently or “counterculturally” from the world. This is how we are called to live as believers. Living for God’s Kingdom looks a lot different than living for the world. The things we celebrate and put value in on earth, often have little value in eternity, and what is valuable in the Kingdom doesn’t make sense to people on earth.
Our world today is consistently pushing this narrative to “fit in” and to just do what everyone else does and believe what everyone else believes. We want to be loved by people so bad that a lot of the time we don’t think about how much that causes us to conform into the image of who we think other people want us to be. But we are created in the image of God. That is who we are supposed to be. So, what does that look like in our lives? How do we break free from the patterns of the world and live freely in a way that points to the Word, not the World?
1. Recognize that this life is bigger than you. Yes, what we do with our lives matters, but this life is not our end goal or our final destination. Eternity is. So, how are you spending time on earth? We’re called to walk according to God’s plans and purpose, to love like Jesus, to know Him and to make Him known. Because in the end, the things that will matter are how you love God, how you worship Him and surrender your ways to His, how you love others, and how you share the gospel. Not the clothes you wear, the job you have, or how much money you make. Let’s practice living with an eternal perspective, keeping our eyes on God and His plans.
2. Spend more time consuming God’s Word than consuming social media and today’s news. Whatever we’re filling ourselves with is going to directly impact how we feel about ourselves and what we pour out. If we’re spending all our time scrolling on social media and comparing our lives to other people’s, we’re going to find ourselves never feeling good enough and constantly striving to “keep up” with the society around us. But when we spend ample time in God’s Word, that’s what is on the forefront of our minds. That allows us to be filled up and satisfied. That will constantly remind us of what’s important and how we are called to live. Below are a few verses to point us to Truth of what living a “countercultural life” looks like.
“Jesus said to them, 'Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.'” Matthew 19:28-30 NIV
“The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:11-12 NIV
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.” Luke 6:35 NIV
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” Proverbs 11:25 NIV
3. Surround yourself with a community that pushes you to look more like Jesus and less like the world. Find people in your life that:
1) will call you higher and push you to be the best and holiest version of yourself.
2) also strive to live countercultural lives.
Who we surround ourselves with matters. The people we are doing life closely with should be people that live with the same beliefs and similar convictions as you. They should be people that call out sin in our life and we call out sin in theirs. When we’re blind to our sin and struggling with temptation, they should point us to Truth in the Word, and not encourage us to look for satisfaction in the world. These should be Proverbs 27:17 friendships, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
To the world, following Christ and living faithfully in His ways is not popular. But we aren’t called to be the most popular person on the planet or to be the person everyone else wants to be. We were created by God to know Him and to make Him known. We are called to be holy and set apart. (1 Peter 3:15) If we look like the world and fit in with the world, we’re actually doing something wrong. Matthew 5:10 NIV says, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Let’s live in a way that seeks the reward of Heaven, not the rewards of earth.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for the comfort we find in you. I pray that our lives would reflect the work you’re doing in us and that we would be quick to share that work with other people. Would you give us the boldness to walk in a way that sets us apart from the world and makes us look more like Jesus. May the cry of our hearts be to live in relationship with you above all else. I pray that in all we do, we give you the glory, honor, and praise. In Jesus’ name! Amen!