Dare to Be Different | The Worshipper's Thought of the Day

A conversation today reminded me of the importance of being different. My mind went to how GOD wanted to do a new thing with Israel, His chosen people; however, they refused to participate in what GOD desired to do through them. GOD wanted a Kingdom (e.g. a nation of people) that would be ruled by Him alone and reflect His nature, character and culture. Yet the children of Israel wanted to be like the nations around them and have a king chosen from among themselves to rule over them. Surprisingly, even after GOD warned them what would happen as a result of this decision, the people still wanted an Israelite king--they rejected GOD's way to be like the people around them who appeared to be living better.

Things aren't much different today, except our problem is we've learned to articulate catch phrases (like "I want GOD to do a new thing"). You know, those things we say and don't mean because it's just lip service that fits so well into our emotional worship. We cry out for GOD to do something new, but we really don't want to be different from those around us. Question: doesn't "something new" imply something never before done, erego something different? Let's just go ahead and stop wasting our time and GOD's if we're going to seek something new from Him when our hearts really desire to enjoy all the things that those outside of GOD's Kingdom enjoy, too. Brothers and sisters, we can't have our cake and eat it, too. It's either GOD's way or the world's way--no in between, no gray area.

I'm by no means perfect because I'm daily progressing in GOD's way. Each day I strive to be more committed to GOD's way of doing things and being more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Because I truly desire for GOD to do the unseen through me, I'm willing to be different. I'm willing to not blend in with the crowd. After all, what glory does GOD get when His people blend in so well with the world that they become indistinguishable from the world? Dare to be different, friends. Dare to adhere to the laws of GOD's Kingdom. Dare to see GOD move in unprecedented ways through you.