Dare To Be Different

Christ is no respecter of persons. Young or old - rich or poor - man, woman or child, He loves us all the same. We are the most treasured of His creations.

Those very same treasures come in every shape and size and color and attitude. Some lead lives that produce a harvest of joyous fruit while others face a real challenge to merely present themselves as pleasant or friendly or welcoming or responsive.

How about it . . . are you up for a good challenge? Seek to change places today with the Mom who was up all night with a sick child. Or rub elbows with a teenager who is ready to give up under the pressures that life presents her with. Good, you ARE up for the challenge - for now you see them through the eyes of Jesus. Now you realize that it's not about you - it's about the Jesus in you who one day came to you and said "Follow me". He didn't care that our attitude was less than charming or that we didn't measure up to what others would have us to be. He loved us to much to leave us where we were at. He overlooked all of our blemishes and just loved us.

As we attempt to walk with Jesus, how do we mirror His love for people? How do we deal with someone's 'less than welcoming attitude', their impatience or even their harsh words? Well - as strange as it sounds, in order to resemble Jesus, we overlook their blemishes and just love them. The impatient guy behind you at the supermarket - just love him. The less than charming young lady behind the counter - just love her. The co-worker who snapped at your heals this morning - just love him.

It is written in Matthew 5:13-16 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Become the light into your own world. Just love them. As you sincerely shine your light into the darkness of their lives you are giving the Holy Spirit an opening to do His work in them . . . and you!

Let us be quick to offer our light as we meet the challenge of being IN this world but not OF this world. Let us dare to present the world with our Jesus!
Amen and Amen
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