Will You Speak Up? Living with Conviction in a World That Looks Away
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." — Romans 12:2 (NIV)
On my way home from the market, the bus driver stopped at a gas station to refill his tank. The fuel attendant was not at his post, so someone called him, and he arrived a few seconds later. Almost immediately, some of the older passengers began whispering, sighing loudly, and making unpleasant remarks. They mocked the attendant, saying he was not fit for the job.
At first, I did not understand their reaction. I couldn’t see any reason for their behaviour toward him. This was my first time taking this route after being away for a long time, so I had no prior knowledge of the man. But as it turned out, most passengers already knew him.
Then, the woman sitting next to me spoke up. She gently asked them not to say such hurtful things because he was a human being, just like the rest of us. I realised they treated him unfairly because they perceived him as different. They had already judged him unfit for his role based on their assumptions about him.
That woman did something remarkable. She chose compassion over cruelty, courage over silence. She stood up for someone who couldn’t defend himself, even when the cultural norm was to look down on him.
And me? I simply nodded in agreement, supporting her quietly. But as I left, I kept asking myself—what would I have done if she hadn’t spoken first?
Integrity isn’t just about avoiding corruption or resisting injustice on a large scale. Sometimes, it’s about the small choices—choosing to defend someone’s dignity, refusing to participate in gossip, or speaking up when silence would be easier.
Paul’s words in Romans 12:2 challenge us: Do not conform. The world often pushes us to blend in, to look away, or to say nothing when something feels wrong. But God calls us to renewal—to see situations through His eyes and respond in a way that honours Him.
So, what will you do? When faced with a moment where doing the right thing is uncomfortable, will you stay silent or speak with love? The world may not change overnight, but we become part of something greater every time we reflect God's truth in our words and actions.
Reflection
Have you ever hesitated to do the right thing because no one else was doing it?
How can you train yourself to see situations the way God sees them?
Prayer
Lord, help me not to follow the crowd when it leads away from You. Transform my mind to recognise what is good, right, and trustworthy. Give me the courage to stand for what matters, even when it’s uncomfortable. Let my life reflect Your love in every situation. Amen.