Don't Be Normal. Be Different. Take the High Road.

How “different” are we from what is “normal” to others? Some say that “It’s NORMAL to be stressed, fearful, overwhelmed, exhausted, angry, sad, speaking hateful about people, and on and on. “Normal” to some is ranting and raving right along with all those who are dissatisfied with politics and politicians.

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. Believing that way, makes us not just different, but we are also DIFFERENCE MAKERS. We take the High Road.

In Matthew 5, 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 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.”

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. It will be DIFFERENT when we don’t side in with hateful, mean and angry people.

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 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 us and answers our prayers.

We are NOT normal. We are DIFFERENT, and DIFFERENT never felt and looked so good! I think I'll cruise on over to the High Road. How about you?

What's Chasing YOU?

Day 100 of Photo Inspirations -- What’s Chasing You?

This photo is my youngest grandson being chased up a tree by a harmless Billy goat.  It seems quite terrifying to me, but my grandson appears to be totally enjoying himself. It must be because he knows that Billy goat is a pet – not a predator.

Once upon a time, I day-dreamed AND night-dreamed about a cute dark haired, dark eyed boy chasing me.  I couldn’t get him off my mind AND neither did I want to. And, that dream came true!  I was chased and caught!  And, I'm so glad I was!

This photo of my grandson sparked my thoughts about the not-so-good-things that chase us -- like those negative thoughts “You can’t make it!  You’re not good enough! You’re too old or too young!  Life is too hard!  You’re just too tired!  You’ve failed too many times!  You’ll never get well."  When those thoughts come chasing you, keep running as fast as you can -- refuse those lies -- you sure don't want them catching YOU!

On the flip side – let those optimistic, positive, and joy-filled thoughts chase you down and overtake you.  Like my grandson’s smiling face with that Billy goat, you’ll be so empowered by the greatness in you, NOTHING will be able to slow you down on your way to the TOP!

Here's the best medicine for those good things to chase us and over take us....."Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on ME"  Isaiah 26:3.  "And all these blessings shall come upon you and OVERTAKE you, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God."  Dueteronomy 28:2