like all the others

In 1 Samuel 8 God's people ask for a king to lead them.  verse 19:

We want a king over us.  Then we will be like all the other nations...

But of course, God's purpose for His people was (and is) that they would be unlike any other nation!  He regarded their request for a king as a rejection of His leadership (verse 7).  How have we as God's people become like all other people, and thereby rejected God's leadership in our lives?  The battle rages on about contextualizing the Gospel to reach a postmodern culture.  Is it God-inspired creativity or a compromising of the Truth?   (I think it depends on the people and the church!)  I hope we are also considering whether or not the qualities of love, obedience and holiness mark us as God's people, because too often they don't.

As for me this morning, I am simply allowing God to speak to me about my own life.  Are there places in my life where I have become "like all the other" people, and God is no longer my King in that area?  I pray, Search me O God and know my heart...  Examine my habits, my priorities, my lifestyle, my finances, my appearance, my attitude.  I want Jesus to be My King, even if it means I am not like all the others.