When I first became a Christian, I decided that I would somehow find a way to live in two worlds. I was planning to hang out with my old friends and still be a Christian. For a time, I was sort of in a suspended state of animation. I wasn't comfortable with my old buddies, but I wasn't quite comfortable with the Christians either.
So I decided to be Mr. Solo Christian. I even said to my friends, "Don't worry about me. You're thinking I will become a fanatic and carry a Bible and say, 'Praise the Lord.' It will never happen. I'm going to be cool about this. I won't embarrass you, but I'm going to believe in God now."
However, as God became more real to me and I began to follow Him more closely, He changed my life and my outlook, and my priorities began to change.
There are people who will discourage you from growing spiritually. They will say, "I think it's good you are a Christian. I go to church too: at Christmas and Easter, and for weddings. But you're getting a little too fanatical. You actually brought a Bible to work the other day. We were so embarrassed. You're no fun anymore. We're glad you have made changes in your life, but don't become too extreme." There are people like this who will discourage you.
When this happens, you have the choice to either do what God wants you to do or to go with the flow. Are you going to let people hold you back? Are you going to let people discourage you from wholehearted commitment to Jesus Christ?
