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Being Different
Being Different
There are people who are just naturally “different”. They aren’t trying to be “different”, it just happens. It’s as if their brains are wired… differently. I’m sure none of you know anyone who’s brain is wired weird! (P.S. Did you notice weird and wired have the same letters! Does it take a weird wired brain to see that?!)
Then there are those who you can sometimes are trying to be different. It’s not subtle or natural, it is loud and intentional. Why would someone want to intentionally be different than those around them?
I will suggest three reasons people are intentionally “different”:
1. “Look at me” different because I want attention. They are flaunting pride.
2. “Please look at me” different because I need to know someone notices I am alive. They are seeking relevance.
3. “Look at Jesus in me” different because Jesus did not fit in culturally, morally, socially, and even religiously. These people are letting their light shine so God can be glorified.
One way people are “different” is wearing weird things just to get attention. (P.S. Beards don’t count!)
Their clothes and accessories are not necessarily sinful things (although some make you wonder), just ways of standing out from the crowd. (P.S. Ironically many hang out in groups where everyone is alike so that they are all alike different together!)
If you want to be different, or even if you don’t want to, you might not have a choice. The way our society is going, if you really want to get attention, try living a Christ-centered moral life!
“They are surprised that you don’t join them in the same flood of wild living — and they slander you.” (CSB’17 1 Peter 4:4)
Now that’s being different for a higher calling!
But notice this statement that follows:
“For this reason the gospel was also preached to those who are now dead, so that, although they might be judged in the flesh according to human standards, they might live in the spirit according to God’s standards.” (CSB’17 1 Peter 4:6)
The “dead” were once in need of the gospel and that gospel changed them. Is your being different, separated from the world, changing the world around you?
Or is your being different stirring trouble in the world around you? This is more than attending church and calling ourselves Christians. This is living so different from the world, they will judge us. If we are going to be judged, let’s be judged because we are like Jesus.
I’m convinced some people want to be different because they are seeking relevance, needing to know they matter, that they are important enough to notice. If this sounds familiar to you personally, God has noticed you. You are relevant to Him. Jesus came so that you could know God. God cares.
“But now, since you know God, or rather have become known by God….” (CSB’17 Galatians 4:9).
God knows you are here.
“He gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for himself a people for his own possession, eager to do good works.” (CSB’17 Titus 2:14)
Be your authentic self; but more importantly, be Jesus. That’s the best way to be different even from yourself!
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