Dare to Be Different!

Be not conformed to this world.  Romans 12:2

Most people live a life of conformity.  They conform to other people’s expectations (their parents for example), follow the music and lives of “famous celebrities”, and emulate professionals around them to the extent that they even go into those same career fields.  God hates conformity though!  He has created us very uniquely and distinctly.  Although there are presently billions of people on the earth and billions have died throughout mankind’s history, no two people have ever had the same fingerprints!  God has created us to be an original but most people die a cheap copycat.  Ephesians 2:10 boldly states, “For we are God’s masterpiece.  He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  The preceding verse records that we are God’s masterpiece.  Usually, a piece of art is considered a masterpiece because of its rarity and distinction!  The second part of Ephesians 2:10 states that we were created “anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”  The reason we were saved or “created anew” was to carry out a very distinct and individual purpose that God has for our lives and created us for.  Sadly, many people try to emulate the lives of others around them and are focused on following people the world esteems and insinuates have high value.  We are to follow God and His purpose for our lives and not the opinions of others or musicians, celebrities, etc., esteemed by the world as valuable.  The Bible states in Jeremiah 17:5, “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord” (NLT).  The reason we must live up to God’s expectations only and not people’s expectations is because our “hearts” will “depart from the Lord.”  We will seek to please them and be accepted by them rather than God!  Remember that the Bible states that “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24).  We cannot serve other people’s expectations and the Lord at the same time.  Stop comparing yourself to others and being depressed about where you are in life in comparison to them!  God has created you to be unique and has a very distinct purpose for your life!  Dare to be different!