Did you ever play that game “which is different?” when you were a kid? Where you have to look at a set of pictures and find out what things are different in each of them? Well, thats kind of what its like being a christian, or a missionary. People are constantly looking at our lives and trying to see what is different about us.
I am blessed to have been raised on the mission field. But with this, it meant that I would be different wherever I went. On the field I am different because I am considered to be “the outsider” (even though I was born and raised here), and when I go back to the States I am different because I wasn’t raised there, and I am a MK. But this made me realize that that must have been what Christ felt like when He was on earth 2000 years ago. And this leads me to a question, why are we so scared of being different from the world? After all, Christ did come all the way to earth to save us from our miserable state, to set us free from the bonds of hell, and saved us with his marvelous grace so that we would be different from this lost world. I think the answer is pride, and self consciousness. We are scared of what others might think of us. We are bombarded day after day on the internet, and on social media, and on the streets, and in magazines, with what the world says we should dress like or act like. And we don’t want to lose face with our peers. The worst prison that people live in is fear of what others might think. If we are not careful with all the things we see and hear each day, we start wanting to become like the world. And the Bible tells us that that is how Lot fell. 2 Peter 2:7-8 ”7-And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8- (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds.” Sometimes what we don’t realize is that everything around us is influencing our spiritual life. First we start by just looking, then we start wondering what it would be like to go to those parties and to dress like that and to do those things, after all, they do it and nothing happens to them!! Well, thats the part where we start making excuses for why we can do those things, and before we know it we are off in sin, and with a broken heart. As my mom always says, “All that glitters isn’t gold.” And sin isn’t all that its cracked up to be. And what we fail to realize, is that God has called us to such a higher calling, then just being like everyone else. Everybody can be like everybody else, but being different, well, that takes courage, but it also speaks highly to the people who are around you. God’s desire for us is to be different, and to shine as lights in this world. 2Corinthians 6:17 “Where fore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,…” Then comes the question, “Why should I be different?” And here is the answer, young lady God has made you so very special, and you carry a very important treasure inside of you! 2 Corinthians 4:7 “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” And his purpose for your life is that you would share that treasure with the world through the power that is in Him. And don’t be shocked, if when you do decide to take the “high road” if people around you start noticing it, or start commenting on it. The bible says in 1Peter 3:15 “ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give and answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” And this next verse that I will share with you is such an encouragement to me. John 15:18 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.” That verse for me just makes it a whole lot easier to go through life. When people look at you ugly, just remember that verse. They’re not mad or angry at you, they are mad or angry at the one you have living in you. 1 John 3:13 “Marvel not, brethren, if the world hate you.” Hold your head up high, be willing to be different. Remember you are a daughter of the King, so act like one! 1Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a ROYAL priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous LIGHT.”
{Anna}
No comments:
Post a Comment