“It’s okay to be different.” – God
I’ve heard it before and I’m sure you’ve heard it as well. Maybe even you’ve said it about yourself. There’s always that moment in life where you look around and just think, “Man, that person is weird! Or maybe you just look in the mirror and say it about yourself. Either way, being weird or being different is okay in God’s eyes. As a matter of fact, the Bible tells us to be the “weird kid.”
That doesn’t mean you have to wear crazy clothes or talk in a funny voice or something “weird” like that but it does mean that you aren’t supposed to “fit in” in this world.
The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light;”
The ESV version says, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”
We are set apart to be different, to be weird, and to be “peculiar” in this world. In my small group, one of the new members said that the reason he started coming to church was because he saw a difference in Christians and he wanted to know why they were so happy all the time. He noticed how different they were, and his curiosity led him to Jesus. Needless to say, he started to go to church, then to a small group, and now he is a joyful Christian serving in the church as well. All of that happened because he noticed the something “different” about Christians and wanted to know more.
It’s not always easy being different, but remember that Jesus was (and still is) different than EVERYONE! He was/is perfect, He performed miracles, and He was sent to save us all, yet people still didn’t accept Him. He didn’t fit in anywhere, yet He died for the very people that hated Him. Can you imagine what His life was like? Where did he fit in? The truth is…He didn’t fit in. He stood out…just like you should today.
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” John 15:18
Stay encouraged in knowing that you are never alone and being “weird” or being different in this world is exactly how God wants you to be! If you can’t tell a difference between yourself and this world, you need to re-evaluate your walk with Christ and remember your purpose. “YOU ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION, A ROYAL PRIESTHOOD, A PECULIAR PEOPLE.”
YOU ARE STRONG. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. YOU ARE ENOUGH.