Let’s Be Different. Let’s Take the High Road.

How “different” are we from what is “normal” to others? Some say: “It’s normal to be stressed, fearful, overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, sad, and even speaking hateful and being mean to others. “Normal” to some is ranting and raving right along with all those who are dissatisfied with politics and politicians or even their own family members or neighbors.

“Normal” to others may be sticking their head in the sand or staying reclusive and maybe, just maybe, the world will go away! I spoke with a neighbor recently and invited him to join our crowd who were having a nice meal together. His reply was “No, thank you. I was a salesman all my career. I talked and talked. I’m done with talking and socializing.” Yikes! His “normal” now is to be a loner. Who wants to be that guy or gal who doesn’t want friends or friendships?

My contention is that “normal” isn’t where God called us to be. He called us to live a radically ABNORMAL life where kindness, love, joy, and peace rules and we make a point of spreading that “abnormal” life around to others. Believing that way, makes us not simply different, but we are also “difference makers”. We take the High Road.

Jesus told us to be so different that in the face of being treated unfairly and wrong, He told us to be glad. What? That’s just not normal. In Matthew 5:11-15, He gave us a completely different way to handle those who are normally cranky and grumpy folks. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

The Good News: We have been forgiven of our own sins, the least we could do is be kind and forgiving to others. It’s literally what Jesus would do. Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

To live the life God wants us to live means we will be DIFFERENT. It will be different from the way the world and the enemy of our soul wants us to live. And it will be different from the way many of the people we know want us to live.

There are many differences to be found in devoted God-followers. These differences are seen in our relationship with God, in our place in the world, in our purpose in life, in our personal goals, in our commitments, in our motives, in our values, in our choices, and in our beliefs. One of the greatest differences is found in the attitudes of our hearts:

~ We are LOVINGLY different — extending His love freely and unconditionally to others.

~ We are TRUTHFULLY different — believing the truth and loving the truth, we speak the truth and live the truth.

~ We are MERCIFULLY different — knowing that God’s mercies are new every morning, we extend His mercies to those around us – even to those who have failed and disappointed us.

~ We are PRAYERFULLY different. We pray in faith. We pray because of Who God is and what He can do. We pray because of what God has said in His Word. We pray because we have the assurance that God hears and answers our prayers.

We are NOT normal. We are DIFFERENT, and DIFFERENT never felt and looked so good! I’m going to get out my little light and let it shine brighter than ever before. I’ll grab the hand of someone who is hurting and longing for friendship and take them with me on the High Road. How about you?