Go Against Nature

By Lisa Birch

It never fails.

Observe a room of complete strangers, where nobody knows anybody, and you’ll see people gravitating toward others who look like them or those who share commonalities. Eventually some may work their way over to those who are different, but usually the personal preference and tendancy is to seek out who we think can identify with us or understand us better.

It’s second nature, and if you say you haven’t done it, you’re either in denial or flat out untruthful.

When I think back over the years I realize that my second nature has likely caused me to miss out on plenty of purpose-filled friendships and connections. It’s so much easier to flash a smile, cordially say hello and keep on moving than it is to invest time and effort into genuinely developing a relationship with someone who is totally unlike you.

God’s way calls us out of comfort and convenience, requiring that we truly honor and value one another—every race, every culture.

Not just in passing.

Not just on the surface.

Not just in professional environments.

And not with any motives at all, just a pure and simple reverence for the God who equally loves all human beings and commands that we do the same.

“Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy, fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” (Philippians 2:1-4)

It all starts and ends with God’s love—a power stronger than our most wholehearted intentions; the Official Force that enables us to go against our selfish nature and put Philippians 2:1-4 into practice.

Scripture of The Day: "Fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind" - Philippians 2:2 (NKJV)


Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and ministerial environments. For more on Lisa, log onto http://www.verticalfix.com.