SELF-DIFFERENCE
Psalms 139:14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
Self-difference is a setting apart of oneself as distinct from others, though we are all created in the image of God and born the same, but we are distinct from others in so many ways.
We are different in colour, tribe, intelligence, wisdom and understanding, this is to fulfil the goodness of God in mankind.
Whatever you are, you should not condemn yourself from being different, you should not be afraid of following a trusted and positive direction than following the mad crowd even if it means to walk alone.
God separated some people to himself in other to shine His light of righteousness to the rest of the world. Leviticus 20:26 And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine.
The three Hebrew together with Daniel has a self-difference mindset, when they were taken captive to the land of Babylon, They determine not to follow the crowd, they choose not to defile themselves with the pleasure and the portion of the King's food
Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.
They made themselves different for God because they do not want to follow the pattern of this world, they hold steadfastly the righteousness of the God of Israel, despite being in a difficult situation, they never let their circumstances to overwhelm their faith in God.
At the end of the set time, God made them different in wisdom, knowledge and understanding among all those carried captive and the chiefs of the land.
Joseph also determined in his heart to be different, he was presented with an opportunity that will change his life for the look of man, but to God it will destroy his destiny. He rejected the will to sin against God by committing fornication with his boss wife. Unlike what many youth will do today seeing that it is a pleasurable and life changing offer. Genesis 39:9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?
Though suffered for a while for his act of self-difference, but at the end, God made him distinct in all the lands of Egypt, better than all chiefs and all citizens of the land.
You can be different for God in this generation, God is looking for those that will live and stand for Him instead of compromising their living with the pattern of sin of this world
2 Corinthians 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
As you have been called out, separated for the goodness of God and having the new nature of Christ in you, you need not not to do as the world does, you don't need to compromise your faith with the desire and lust of this world. The nature of His kingdom must be your nature and pattern in this present world.
1 Corinthians 15:33 Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
Beware of those you associate with, those you keep as company, those who can influence you negatively and cripple your life destiny in God.
If people see you to be different, as much as it is for a good and just cause, do not regret it, be who God wants you to be even if it is sending alone
If you want to be different among your peers as a child of God in wisdom, knowledge and understanding, ask God.
James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
He alone can make you different in success in all areas of your life.
The gift you have, the craftiness, the talent, is what God has deposited in your life to make you have a good living, you need to stand out and above others. Even if others have the same gift as you do, make a difference, do what others have not done before, ask God for new ideas and make a difference.
Proverbs 18:16 A man's gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men.
God has created you for a purpose, your ara a peculiar child of God, do not be afraid to be different for God , you may be mocked, rejected, body shamed or criticised,, do not listen to the crowd, focus on God and be diligent with Him, for in due time, your life will be a testimony.
You are the best version of yourself, no one is you, don't let people shrink your life with their own self desire.
God bless you.
Prayer key:
1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name
2. Lord, help me to be different for you in this world in Jesus Christ name.
3. Lord, give me the grace to be corrupted with the patterns of this world in Jesus Christ name.
4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.