why?

Why is it so unusual for someone to be a loyal friend? Why is it strange to stay committed to a friendship and work to keep it? Why is it weird and unheard of to have godly standards? And on the opposite side, why is it normal to gossip, watch terrible movies, listen to explicit music, give yourself away before the end of freshman year of high school, be unfaithful to any and every relationship you find yourself in, and wear clothes that show off everything you have - even for Christians?

Yes, I know we live in a sinful world and yes, I know I'm probably sheltered and naive because I've been homeschooled since middle school, but still! Do all those other Christians who blend in with the world not want to honor God? It confuses me to see people who I honestly believe love Jesus with all their heart give away the innocence of their hearts and minds to be like every other teenager walking the halls of WFR. Is it really worth it? Just to hear that song, to watch that movie, to fit in with everyone else, to be accepted...is that worth losing your godly reputation and your righteous standing before God, the one who created you and will one day judge everything you have done and are still doing?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not excluding myself from this. While I know for a fact that I'm the most innocent person in any of my circles of friends - I've never even thought of doing some of the things they've already experienced, and half the time consider to be okay - I still struggle with wanting to be accepted. Though I don't go nearly as far as people I know, I rationalize that certain things must be okay if my friends, who are so strongly seeking after God's heart, do them and even praise them. And I know often people consider how much of your innocence you've lost to be an indicator of how mature you are. I hate the fact that I am the most innocent person I know - not only for me, because I'm looked down upon because of it, but also for them. I hate it because of what they've lost and can never gain back. I hate it because they are giving in to the world and what it says is okay instead of searching for God's standard. I hate it because they must be so confused to just shut God out from half their lives and only let him in when they feel like it.

It makes me wonder why, if fitting in is really worth it if this is only a blink of time in the eternity we have to live.