When I took my dogs outside this afternoon, I stood still, listening to the crickets. Then the trees bordering my field caught my eye. They looked different than they had during the early morning hours. At daybreak, in preparation for winter, a few donned the beginning of orange and yellow leaves. Now the trees that had stood apart, blended with others. Only a sea of green was visible.
And I thought how much nature mirrors humanity. Sometimes, we also stand out as individuals; our thoughts, feelings, and character. Other times, we give up our identity and become like those with whom we surround ourselves. Working with incarcerated juveniles, I am all too aware of the results of choosing to blend in with the wrong crowd.
In contrast, we can also consciously select friends who offer a positive influence, and hopefully, we in turn, can encourage others. But the choice is ours. We must be prudent in selecting those with whom we associate. We’re all familiar with the phrase, “You are what you eat.”, but even more vital is this thought, “You become the surroundings you choose.” Allowing God to mold our character must be a conscious decision. The choices are simple; should we spend time with people who follow God’s path, or those who seek only the things of this world? Life does not consist of random events in which we have no choice. We must be prudent in our decisions in order to follow Christ. May God bless you.
