Remember, it is human to stand with the crowd; it is divine to stand alone. It is manlike to drift with the crowd; it is Godlike to "stem the tide." It is natural to compromise, to follow the social and religious fashions of the day for the sake of gain and pleasure; it is divine to sacrifice both gain and pleasure on the altar of truth. Paul said, describing his first appearance before Nero, "No man stood with me, but all men forsook me." 2 Tim. 4:1616At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. (2 Timothy 4:16). "Truth has been out of fashion ever since Adam and Eve changed their robes of fadeless light for a garment of faded leaves." Noah built and voyaged alone, Abraham wandered and worshiped alone, Daniel dined and prayed alone, Elijah sacrificed and witnessed alone, Jeremiah prophesied and wept alone, and Jesus loved and died alone.
Think it not strange if you are called upon to stand alone for the truth sometimes, to remain alone "in the wilderness," unseen and unused while others climb to great heights of fame. Think it not hard if "all men forsake" you and people think you are "queer." You are in the process of seasoning now, hard lumps of self-will are softening, selfish plans are melting by the weathering of His grace, and sometime the clay will be ready for the Potter's wheel.
Do not be turned aside from God's plan for you by the counsel of misguided, well-meaning friends. There are multitudes today, both in the church and in the world, who applaud the courage and the fortitude of the prophets, apostles and martyrs of the early church, but condemn as "stubbornness" and "foolishness" similar faithfulness on the part of Christians today. Rest assured, if God has called you, He will also prepare you and provide the means and the grace for you to perform and to finish the work to which He has called you, in His own good time. Then with great joy you will be a vessel molded unto His glory.