Conformity is an Enemy

  What makes you uncomfortable?  Remember the first time you went to a Pentecostal meeting even though you were warned not to?  Ever sit next to someone that has "THE SHAKES" and you didn't and were hoping it wasn't communicable? 
  What made your skin crawl or your tendency to freak out was they weren't like you and you weren't used to it.  I remember going to a rival school's football game in which my school's team was their dastardly opponent.  The first time I did, those "Pumpkin Heads" intimidated me because they weren't the same us.  We was (purposelessly left in wrong tense) intelligent, they was not (heads filled with pumpkin mush).  We was sane, they lived in Anoka (a sure sign of insanity). Then those school colors black and orange (why would anyone wear vomit?).
   Ever get on an elevator and face the back instead of the doors?  I saw a Candid Camera show one time where they stacked the deck and the majority faced the "wrong way".  Can you guess what happened when someone else got on? Sure enough they too faced the back!  You say that you aren't a conformist but do your actions say it?  When was the last time you purposefully wore two different color shoes to a formal event?  I'll bet  you wore your most comfortable clothes and flip flops instead of a gown or suit to some place where everyone else is dressed up way too much.  Have you ever gone to a church meeting where everyone there is a different race than you?   Do you get the picture?  We as the Church have segregated ourselves. We tend to gather in groups that behave and think like us.  It's easier that way, so we think.  We tend to critique and judge others that are different.   Can the hand say to the foot because you're not a hand we have no need of you? (a paraphrase of a NT verse).
  Try stretching yourself a bit.  Sit next to someone you are not totally comfortable with and engage them in conversation.  Maybe even try to accept a friend or a spouse that has quirkinesses about them  (they are quirky cause they aren't like you)! Maybe you should shut up about how the toothpaste tube is rolled up and be grateful that someone loves you or that you have someone to love!
More later...