Teenagers face pressure to conform in countless ways. Many of them are unhealthy and unproductive, but they’re intriguing because they can sometimes be exciting and popular. Everyone desires to be accepted and, unfortunately, being part of “the crowd” temporarily meets that need. However, being part of the crowd is uninteresting and ordinary. It lacks uniqueness. It’s simply common. We need to strive to be uncommon. If everyone is doing it, it’s probably not worth doing. Nothing worth having or doing comes easily. Originality is a vital ingredient needed to become the man God created you to be. Your life should stick out and people should notice that you’re “different.” You have what it takes because you are exemplary and extraordinary. You need to be more weird because normal isn’t work. You are too valuable to be confined in the space of what everyone else is doing. Stand up and stand out!
It’s difficult to be the exception to society’s rules. Unquestionably, you’ll face persecution of various kinds. There are many great men that have gone before us who we can learn from. The late Steve Jobs is becoming immortalized for the way he approached life. One of his closest friends said of him during his final days, “Steve made choices…But for Steve, it was all about living life on his own terms and not wasting a moment with things he didn’t think were important. He was aware that his time on earth was limited. He wanted control of what he did with the choices that were left.” Jobs is the greatest innovator and leader in the past 20 years and he was determined to be unique, no matter how great the pressure was to conform. Without addressing specific pressures, in a sense, Jobs’ legacy captures the essence of what we’re going for here.
By looking into the lives of prominent characters in the Bible, we gain even more insight into the correct decision making process. Many of them faced death and persecution for standing up for what was right. High school presents us with pressures, obviously, but our lives aren’t on the line. Certainly, you can cope with not being invited to the next party when you decide to stand up to your buddies who want to go down the wrong path. Certainly, you’re strong enough to handle the “wrath” of the captain on your football team when you refuse to tolerate him degrading women. Certainly, you can put your popularity on the line to protect that helpless freshman your team insists on relentlessly picking on day after day. Certainly, you can endure the teasing from others when you decide to pursue purity and honor women by not having sex until your married. When you make difficult decisions, you will be ridiculed. When you’re exceptional, others will do all they can to bring you back down to their level.
When you feel attacked by classmates and teammates, take heart in knowing that it will make you stronger for the journey to become a man. I’ve been there and it can be hard to say, “No” and stand up for what is right. The rewards are great; however, don’t just take my word for it. If you will endure and not lose heart, God promises us that it’s worth it. Sure, it will get difficult, but He will provide the “extra” strength to preserve. This all leads to maturity.
Here are few passages that will provide you with encouragement to do what is right.
“Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be made mature and complete, not lacking anything.” – James 1:2-4
“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” – 1 Corinthians 4:7-10
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:1-3
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