Standing Firm in a Shifting Culture

I wanted to share something I’ve been reflecting on this week that I felt the Lord wanted me to share. I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to resist the culture we’re surrounded by—not just out there in the world, but even inside our own agencies.

If we’re honest, sometimes that culture can be tough. There’s pride, competition, negativity, and status chasing. It’s easy to get caught up in it without even realizing. We can start measuring ourselves by who gets noticed, who gets promoted, who’s “in” with the right people, or get sucked into constant complaining and frustration.

As I walk through another valley myself, God has been speaking to me, so I wanted to share what He said. I was reading Romans 12:1–5, and it struck me how directly Paul’s words speak into this. In this line of work, it’s easy to start doing things for the wrong reasons—recognition, proving yourself, or keeping up appearances. But when I remember that I’m serving because of God’s mercy, it re-centers me. I’m not working for man’s approval; I already have God’s approval. I’m serving out of gratitude, not pride.

Then Paul says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” You can’t be around negativity and pride all day without it affecting you unless you’re intentional. Paul doesn’t say to fix yourself or try harder—he says, be transformed. That’s something only God can do. He’s the one who renews your mind when you’re tired, frustrated, or tempted to fall into the same patterns as everyone else.

Finally, Paul talks about unity: “We, though many, form one body.”

That’s a reminder not to do life alone. We talk a lot about having each other’s backs on calls, but we need that spiritually too. It’s easy to drift or grow jaded in isolation. Having people around you who get it and are striving to live for something higher makes all the difference.

What I’m reminded of is this: resisting the culture doesn’t always mean standing against the world out there. Sometimes it means standing against the parts of our own culture that pull us away from who God is calling us to be. So I’ll leave you with this: remember your why. Let God renew your mind. And don’t do it alone. That’s how we live differently and resist the culture—not by separating from it, but by quietly and faithfully living another way within it.

Love y’all 🤍†