Articles
Am I Conspicuous
Some years ago David Reisman wrote a book, The Lonely Crowd. As a part of his
research, he interviewed some children about comic strips. He asked one twelve year- old girl,
“What comic strip do you like the most?” After a bit she confessed that her favorite was
“Superman.” He then asked, “Why do you like Superman?” After thinking for a moment she
replied, “I suppose I like him because he can do so many things that other people can’t do … he
has X-ray vision and his hearing can pick up things miles away, and I suppose because he can
fly.” The interviewer then asked the girl, “Well, would you like to be able to fly like Superman?”
The girl thought a moment and replied, “I think I would — if everybody else could too.
Otherwise it might be a little conspicuous, don’t you think?”
She liked Superman because he was different; but she wasn’t sure she wanted to be
different, even though it would be a thrill to fly. Being different does have a way of making one
conspicuous, doesn’t it!
As I see it, this is a difficulty many Christians seem to wrestle with. We know that we are
not to be conformed to this world, but rather to be transformed by the renewing of our minds
(Rom. 12:2), yet it is difficult for many of us to do. It’s so conspicuous! Thus the temptation is
always there to fall in with the crowd and thereby augment the power of evil through our tacit
approval, if not through outright applause. We hate to be a “kill joy” or take an unpopular stand.
So, to be safe and inconspicuous, we go along with sheer foolishness, vulgarity, or immorality.
Should we dare to be different, and take our Christianity seriously, there is no doubt we
will stand out in the crowd. Come to think of it, do you suppose this is what Jesus had in mind
when He called upon us to be light in the darkness? Or the salt of the earth (Matt. 5:13-16)?
The question which haunts me is, “Am I as conspicuous as Jesus wants me to be?
John Gipson
Windsong church of Christ
Little Rock, AR
