FEBRUARY 14, Colossians 3:2

“Look at that guy, Mom,” said Bee Choo as she and her mother were waiting at a traffic light which had turned red. “He’s practically dancing down the street instead of walking! He sure looks silly with his head bopping back and forth like that.”

Mom smiled when she looked in the direction Bee Choo pointed. “I think he’s listening to his radio,” she said. “See his headphones?”

“Yeah,” replied Bee Choo, “and he’s walking to the beat of the music he’s listening to, isn’t he?” “That’s how it looks to me,” agreed Mom, “and that could be dangerous. He doesn’t seem to notice what’s going on around him.” The traffic light changed, and Mom drove forward. “That man reminds me of our walk as Christians in this world,” she added.

Bee Choo gave her mother a puzzled glance. “I know it’s dangerous to be a Christian in some countries,” said Bee Choo, “but it’s not dangerous here, is it?”

“Well, I didn’t mean it was dangerous in that sense,” said Mom. “I was just thinking that when we live our life in obedience to the Word of God we sometimes feel like we’re walking around looking pretty strange, like being out of sync with the rest of the world.”

“That’s true,” agreed Bee Choo. “That happened to me just last week. The kids were all teasing me about not being allowed to watch that violent show on TV. Even my best friend made fun of me because you and Dad wouldn’t allow me to watch shows involving violence and murder.”

“Did that bother you?” asked Mom. Bee Choo nodded. “Well… kind of,” she said, “but I guess we just have to be like that guy back there, and not worry about what other people think of us?”

“That’s right, Bee Choo,” replied Mom. “What God thinks is much more important than what people think. I pray you’ll always choose to listen to Jesus instead of marching to the beat of the world.”

Thought: Are you walking to a different beat from that of your classmates? It should be so as you cannot expect unbelievers to hear God’s “beat” and live to please Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to live the way You want me to live, no matter how tough it is and what others may think. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.