Series: Better
Weekly Devotional - Why Be Different?
1 Samuel 17:24-32
But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."
1 Peter 1:15-16, NLT
What do you think being different means? Maybe it seems uncomfortable to you.
Why be different when you can just act, do and say the same things as everyone else? It’s much easier to be normal. After all, when you think about people who are different, you usually think about that one guy that always got picked on. Why would you sign up for that? But here’s the thing: there’s nothing wrong with being normal, unless you’re called to be different. And as a Jesus follower, we’re all called to be different.
So, what exactly does it mean to be different? It’s actually different than you might think. Being different isn’t about trying to get attention. It’s not about getting a gold mohawk (although that would be cool) or being obnoxious, or trying to stand out in a crowd. Those things are different, but they aren’t the kind of different we’re talking about.
What if there were a good kind of different? Jesus actually modeled this for us. He was really different, and people knew about it. Word spread throughout Israel about Him and the things He did. He was healing people left and right, teaching women, and hanging out with sinners. Jesus was different. He didn’t compromise His beliefs or His purpose, but He always showed love to people.
That’s the kind of different we’re called to be. We’re called to live differently by serving others before ourselves, obeying God's word when it’s easier to ignore it, and treating others how Jesus would treat them.
So, what are some ways you can start trying to be this good-type of different that Jesus was? It doesn’t have to be something crazy. Maybe for you it means striking up a conversation at work with someone who never seems to really get along with anyone. Or maybe it means inviting someone you know to come to church with you. Whatever it is, these small changes bring much different results.
