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?

Magic is Still in the Air

It's a "Silent Night", here in Washington, as the children are nestled all snug in their beds, while visions of sugar plums (or at least the last piece of Jesus' birthday cake they ate tonight) is dancing in their heads.

But before now, it was a full, busy day!  Baseball practice, buying some things with  "Christmas cash", seeing the movie "Night at the Museum 2" (cute movie), exchanging one Hot Wheel set for this one -- yes, it was a work-out for Nana to get it put together but I conquered.  And then the boys had to test drive each of their many hot wheels in the turbo-fast electric shoot.  They give me so much entertainment!

And while we were out and about today, we noticed that the Christmas cleanup has already begun -- well, with the exception of Santa's sleigh here at the mall -- seems he left it behind unitl next year.  ;-)  Yes, the lights, decorations and trees will all come down in the next few days.  Presents of miss-sized clothing will be exchanged. Christmas candy, decorations, toys and other items are on sale for at least half-price. Life will be normal again very soon.

"Normal" often means that the magic of the season will begin to fade. But for the moment, the magic is still in the air. I sense it. Maybe that’s why I’m still awake. I want to savor the spirit just a bit more.  I love the peace and quiet as I am sitting by this beautiful Christmas tree here -- no longer with presents surrounding it -- only twinkling lights that still represent the LIGHT of this season.  I pray that those who beheld that LIGHT last week will still be looking to Him next July. And I can’t help but think: if we could give Him so much thought and homage during December, how much more would we live in the spirit of Christmas, if we thought of Him every day?

It's true.....WISE men and WOMEN still seek Him.
#WiseMenStillSeekHim #ChristmasEveryDay