Our Youth author, Alina Mathews, has submitted another thought-provoking and powerful article entitled “Stand”.

In her own inimitable style, Alina encourages believers to make a choice

… a choice to go counter-cultural rather than conform to the pressures of a self-centred world.

It’s so easy to get swept up in what everyone else is doing even without thinking that it may be offensive to Christ.

Alina challenges us to make the right choice … a choice that will be God-pleasing and one that will carry eternal consequences.

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters,
stand firm. Let nothing move you”
1 Corinthians 15:58

The influences of the world can be incredibly strong.

It’s so easy and simply comfortable to allow ourselves to fall into the patterns of others around us—
even if those patterns contradict how we should live as Christians.

Peer pressure is an extremely real thing, but the Bible calls us to ‘stand firm’ on the Rock who is Christ.

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be set apart as a righteous example to our community.

Philippians 2:15 talks about being children of God ‘without fault’ and how we will then ‘shine among them like stars in the sky’.

People are naturally drawn to light, especially when all that is around them is darkness.

I encourage you to be that light for people—to not be afraid to stand out.

One of my favourite verses in the Bible is Romans 12:2 which says:

‘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’.

Alina Mathews
March 27, 2024