To Be or Not to Be

Now I'll let you in on a little secret.


Why do I call myself Rebel?


Well, I'll tell you.

First the dictionary definitions of Rebel is:

vb [rɪˈbɛl] -bels, -belling, -belled (intr; often foll by against)

1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) to resist or rise up against a government or other authority, esp by force of arms

2. to dissent from an accepted moral code or convention of behaviour, dress, etc.

3. to show repugnance (towards)

n [ˈrɛb^əl]

1.

a. a person who rebels

b. (as modifier) a rebel soldier a rebel leader

2. a person who dissents from some accepted moral code or convention of behaviour, dress, etc.

[from Old French rebelle, from Latin rebellis insurgent, from re- + bellum war]

I was in the Army Cadet Corps, and yes there is a difference between Army, Air, and Navy Cadets, because we were way more active and had more hands on training---BOO YAH.

Going through that made me realize that to be a good leader, I needed to be an excellent follower.

An obvious fail.

So, I elected to not join the military because by signing their contract I would have to listen and never question anything.

I always need to question things. Not to show dis-respect, but to understand the 'why' behind the decision. Sometimes even to clarify what is being asked.

I have always gone against the normal flow of things.

This is my nature.

Wearing what I like instead of what others thought was fashionable. I wore lime green pants, they were the best pants ever, and I don't think lime has been in fashion for decades.

Playing with dolls until I was 12 because I liked them and didn't care that others thought it was babyish. And oh my did I ever hear how babyish it was to play with dolls.

Riding my bike many many miles through two towns to see a friend because I didn't have a ride there. Which led to the demise of my bike.

Having a baby before marriage.

Getting married before we knew each other at least for a year.

Wondering what the point was of Sunday School, youth group, or any other organized event that really didn't teach me a thing. Thank goodness my parents didn't force me into joining anything I didn't want to, and for that I am grateful.

Hollywood likes to glamorize the rebels, especially under the guise of war, or defense.

But really, the world looks at anyone who doesn't want to blend in to the rest of the mindless sheep and do a 180 and fight against the current as trouble makers, or hippies, or weirdo's.

The bible speaks clearly about rebels, and rebelious people.


Isaiah 48:8

• You have never heard, you have never known,

  from of old your ear has not been opened.

  For I knew that you would surely deal treacherously,

  and that from before birth you were called a rebel.

I know my human nature will naturally lead me away from the truth, from God, and from my ultimate need for Jesus Christ.



That's why I need to rebel against myself.



I must rebel against my flesh and it's never-ending hold on me.



And PRAISE GOD that I don't have to do it on my own.



Praise God that Jesus destroyed the sin in my life so before the Father right now I am holy.



But until I die, I will wage this war and encourage others to do so as well.



We're all rebellious,

against whom is the question.