Looking Different

I have had this stirring in my soul for some time now.

I was talking to a friend the other day about "church" people who do things that look just like what the world does.

I don't drink. Never have. I don't like what it does to people and families and I believe that the Lord does not want me to.

Now, a lot of people do. Good people. Church going people. Maybe even people that read this blog. And if that is the case I do not write this to be "Holier than thou".

I'm not. Believe me. My sin is icky. It is gross and when the Lord looks at my sin He is disgusted. It is only by the grace of Jesus' sacrifice for me that I can approach the throne.

This is not about drinking though.

This is about looking like Jesus.

How do we as Christ followers look like Jesus in the world?

For one thing, I believe it takes effort to really stand out. To not follow the crowd but to CHOOSE to follow Jesus and look like Him.

If you go to a restaurant, does your server think you are any different from the guy sitting next to you? Do you treat them with kindness even if they totally mess up your order. What if they are having a bad day and totally take it out on you by being rude and completely not helpful? Do you still tip them? What about you is different from others?

If we have Jesus, and profess it, I believe we should act like it! And tell people!

Two of my good friends, that I have grown to love since we have been here, have moved with their husbands away. One to help with a church plant and one to be missionaries to a foreign country. I was talking to one today. Her friends here at home don't understand the sacrifice she is making. She does not have some of the "luxuries" that her friends have. And they don't get why she is sacrificing some of that stuff.

I get it.

And no, I have not "arrived" at the perfect Christian state. I have a LONG way to go.

But I understand that we are not called to comfortable.

I will say that again, "WE ARE NOT CALLED TO BE COMFORTABLE!"

We are called to be witnesses. We are called to disciple others. We are called to be Christ followers!

And people, that LOOKS DIFFERENT!

The Lord has been refining me lately. That hurts some times...really most of the time. It hurts because it shows us our short-comings and challenges us to change.

I want to be different. I want to look different. And if people don't get it, I want to be able to tell them why.

This next year my goal is to look different. To speak kindly. To love always, even when it hurts and is hard.

I challenge you, if you profess Him, look different. 

It is worth it. Eternally worth it.