ARE YOU SILLY PUTTY?

In 1943, rubber shortages during World War II led to the invention of Silly Putty, a classic American toy. When the government searched for something plentiful to use in developing a synthetic rubber, researchers began working with silicone. An inventor at General Electric added a little boric acid to silicone oil, and a gooey, bouncy substance resulted.

It didn't work as a substitute for rubber, but after the war a manufacturer marketed it to the public as a toy called Silly Putty in March 1950. It became so popular that even Apollo 8 astronauts used Silly Putty to stabilize their tools in the zero gravity environment of space, storing it in sterling silver eggs.

The toy still sells well today, with manufacturer Binney & Smith producing twenty thousand eggs of Silly Putty a day. The substance can be stretched, shaped into any form, rolled into a ball and bounced, or pressed on pictures and newsprint to make impressions. Remember kids making impressions of their favorite comics that way?

Copy cats and people that just followed any person for no good reason were called Silly Putty or said to have minds like Silly Putty. They are desperate to fit in with the world around them at the expense of personal growth.

Romans 12:2 says, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (NIV)

The apostle Paul warns believers against conforming to this world. The verse gives the idea of being pressed into a pattern or mold. Our culture tries to shape us according to current ideas, attitudes, and lifestyles. Even though we have the Holy Spirit in us, we can end up looking and living like carbon copies of everyone around us.

Look around and the pattern is running rampant. It starts with silly peer pressure as early as kindergarten. Children don’t want to be noticed so the big kids don’t pick on them but they don’t want to be too bland either; they have to wear the best clothes and accessories so they are cool. They look for a certain balance and end up looking like everyone else or “conform to the pattern of this world”.

Those days are way too long ago for this old man to remember but I keep my eyes open and I don’t have to look far. TV ads have been a staple of American society for over 50 years. The ones with the most money tell us how to eat, dress, what car to drive, what cell phone to use without a reason why. The ads all have one thing in common; they have a leader and mindless followers, or “Silly Putty” friends, reaching out for what will make them acceptable. Reach out instead, for real acceptance.

If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 15:19

God calls us to be nonconformists, but not just on the outside. That may sound intimidating because it can lead to ridicule and we may feel left out and alone somehow. However, through Bible study, service and fellowship with other believers we will be renewed on the inside. Then we will be able to discern and obey God's will, and our life will be transformed day by day. We can't afford to be passive. If we don't let God transform our thinking, then we'll be like putty in the world's hands, and that's worse than silly

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:15

I mentioned feeling renewed on the inside through Bible study, service and fellowship. It’s a slow process but in time you will look back at the way you were and the silly world you left behind and it will be hard to remember what had you tied up in knots. You won’t be reaching for the elusive happiness from the latest toys and fashions but instead, you will want more of the wisdom gained from the experiences you are now going through.

The Bible study for instance, was hard at first but the stories were so powerful and enriching that the most powerful TV show, movie or novel written, pale by comparison. The first Bible study group I encountered studied the book of Acts; the very beginning of Christianity. I had read it before but somehow, open discussion in a group setting brought it to life and I wanted more.

The service and fellowship gained just from the Christ Renews His Parrish retreat was profound in effect and made me stand taller. That one event taught me what it means to be able to discern and obey God’s will. Also, both events gave me more friends than I had by following the ways of the secular world. How cool is that?

It may seem silly or hard to be a nonconformist but in reality, it’s so much harder to be Silly Putty. Acceptance in this world is much harder to attain and very fleeting compared with acceptance into the Kingdom of God. Put away the Silly Putty and really live.

Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
Lamentations 3:40

God [is] faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:9