To some degree, we are all products of our culture.

The way we celebrate, mourn, and live our daily lives is influenced by the world around us.

In Jesus’ day, when someone died, families would often hire professional mourners to walk around the casket with loud cries and public displays of grief. They believed this honored the deceased and helped the family through their sorrow. Today, we send flowers, attend funeral services, and quietly say, “I’m sorry for your loss.”

But Jesus calls us to something much greater. Rather than simply following the patterns of this world, He calls us to live differently. As followers of Christ, we are meant to be counter-cultural. Heaven’s culture of unconditional love often runs opposite of the way earth teaches us to think and behave.

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 NLT

• We bless those who curse us.
• We die to selfish desires so we can live fully for God.
• We give God first place in our finances and priorities, even when things are tight.
• We forgive others before they even ask, leaving revenge in God’s hands.
• We find our identity in who God says we are instead of what the world says about us.
• We choose the narrow road that leads to life instead of the crowded road that leads away from God.
• We lose our life so we can find it.

None of us do this perfectly. We are all learning. We are all growing. Especially me.

But here’s another counter-intuitive truth: we tell others about Jesus even while we are still a work-in-progress ourselves.

That’s right—we are imperfect people representing a perfect Savior. Our past does not disqualify us. In fact, our acceptance of God’s forgiveness is what qualifies us to share His grace with others.

Jesus didn’t wait until His disciples had everything figured out before sending them into the world. And He’s not waiting on us either.

God has appointed us as His ambassadors. Think about that for a moment. The Creator of the universe chose ordinary people like us to represent His kingdom on earth. What an incredible calling!

So we must never allow our comfort to replace our calling. The world does not need more silent Christians. It needs believers who will lovingly, boldly, and faithfully reflect the heart of Jesus.

Today, we will choose which culture influences us most. The culture of this world—or the culture of heaven.

Let’s choose well.