Does Dozing in the Pigpen Really Make Us Happy?

Several weeks ago, I attended my college Homecoming.

Prior to the start of the ballgame, as is tradition, morning activities included a dunking booth, alumni chatting areas, games for the kiddos, and various food and drink stations. Another big hit for those with youngsters was the petting exhibit.

Adults, too, seemed drawn to the adorable, pink and black spotted piglets dozing peacefully in their temporary pen.

I counted ten of the baby piglets, and like everyone else, I had a good chuckle when observing the one little oddball who was turned the complete opposite of his kin. I’d almost missed him.

There, on the very bottom of the piggy pile, was the lone piglet who remained undaunted by the backsides overhead. Not so much as a snort could even be heard. The small group seemed perfectly content.

How those piglets could doze so comfortably in their precarious state set me wondering.

Could we be as comfortable given the same conditions? When others decide to do their own thing, are we as apt to sleep through the event? Is it possible that dozing in the pigpen could really be as ideal as what it seemed to be for those baby piglets?

I think maybe it goes back to the circumstance. Depending on what life juncture we’re at, sometimes we must learn to adjust, adapt, and conform to our surroundings. When given the alternative (if the other choice is less than desirable) remaining in the pigpen might just be a welcomed respite.

What about the times, however, when there isn’t a choice?

The little piglet seemed happy. He’d adjusted. He’d adapted. But had he conformed? No.

While his siblings were all sawing logs facing the same direction, the little pink and black piglet on the bottom of the piggy pile was different. He’d clearly become the nonconformist of the bunch.

Or…was it the other way around?

Of course, being a spiritual kind of gal, my mind raced with all sorts of biblical analogies.

As Christians, we’re to be a people set apart. We’re to be in the world, not of the world. 

Christians are not better than, more than, or any “holier” than our non-believing friends. Once we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we realize that our lives are not our own. We were “purchased” for a price. We’re to serve others without yielding to the world.

When we commit our lives to Christ, we take on new roles. As Christians, we’re held to a higher standard because we know better. Our social values, personal ideals, and moral dictates should reflect our lives in Him. We may have to “conform” to man-made laws/rules while on earth. We may–or most likely will–be faced with conflicting views as our faith is challenged.

“Dozing in the pig pen” facing the opposite direction isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Opposite isn’t always wrong. When we’re faced with myriad life choices, we first have to discern the desired outcome. Will the consequence be worth our differing stance? How will our decision affect others? More importantly, how will it influence the cause for Christ?

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Can you recall a time when you might have been labeled a “non-conformist”?

And just to loosen the lid on this can of worms this morning…If you write, how do your characters’ life choices affect their consequences? Is it necessary that we portray life realistically even in Christian fiction?