Thought for Wedneday, June 6th

(A New Format for Summer – I hope these Daily Thoughts continue to be a blessing.)

June 6, 2012

Dare to Be Different 

While some people are content to blend into a crowd: there are always others who will do what it takes to stand out and make a difference in their world.

As Christians we need to be among those who are willing to stand out and make a difference.

Many of the pioneers of our faith were men and woman who were willing to walk a different road so to speak and do things in a way that may have never been done before.  There was Daniel, Esther, Moses, Joshua, Peter, Paul, John the Baptist, John the Revelator and of course Jesus.

In today’s world sometimes standing out and being different can have a negative connotation but if we are to be the people God wants us to be we have to overcome the obstacles, jump the hurdles and run the race in a way that shows the world we don’t mind being different for the Glory of the Lord.

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision…”

Cecil Beaton

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

Titus 2:11-14

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Matthew 16:24-27

Making a difference in the lives of those around us with God’s love and for His glory is what we are called to do.

“Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Are you daring enough to be different?  Remember it could be your daring that makes a big difference in someone else’s life.

Today’s Prayer

Father, you have no need to be daring because you are the creator and master of all things.  Even the wind and the waves are subject to your voice and at the beckon of your instruction.  Help me to be like the wind and the waves – may I obey your voice and may I be bold enough, courageous enough and daring enough to stand up, stand out and make a difference for you.

“My life is in You Lord
My strength is in You Lord
My hope is in You Lord
In You, it’s in You

I’ll praise You with all of my life
I’ll praise You with all of my strength
With all of my life, with all of my strength
All my hope is in You “

-  Lyrics from ‘My Life Is In You Lord’ by Daniel Gardner