Leading by example

There's a great interview over at Relevant Magazine with Dallas Willard. In the first part he's talking about how we've lost the spirit of discipleship. Near the end they are talking about another interview with Jim Wallis, and they mention in 1 Peter 3:14-16 how he instructs the Christians of that day not to fear being persecuted, and endure it with joy, being ready to give the reason for their hope. Keith Giles comments:

Christians in the early church were living lives counter to the culture of the day. This is why Peter exhorts the Christians of his day to “Be ready to give an answer, a reason for the hope that lies within”, because he was aware that the lives of those believers would prompt such a curiosity.
...
Our lives look just like those around us so there’s never a reason for them to wonder about why we’re different.

Its really not that hard to lead a life different from society. Don't buy a new car every couple years, don't subscribe to the latest fashions and gadgets, don't give in to every spending impulse, don't consume a diet primarily composed of fast food, etc. I'm trying to live simply, and through my joy of a simple life, rouse the curiosity of the world. So far there hasn't been much curiosity, so maybe I need to try harder.

[links]
Part one, two, and three of the interview.