Different

As a bible study, we each pick a word that we want to represent us for the coming season. It can be a word that describes something we want to grow in, or learn more about, or just live and act out in our everyday lives.


For the fall/winter my word was Rooted. I really feel like I have grown so much in my relationship with God, and have truly begun to understand his character.

My word for this season is Different. I want to be different, look different, act different, live different. I feel so often that even though I'm a follower of Jesus, I blend in. I look just like a normal nice person. It's not a bad thing to look like that, but how are people going to know I have a personal relationship with Jesus if there is nothing different about me. Ultimately I want people to know that a relationship with Jesus can change them too. I want to be BOLD this season, and hoping that it won't just be for this season, but it will be carried out for the rest of my life. I hope to be more prayerful and intentional about initiating prayer with people often. Not just with my friends or in community, but where it's different - on the street, in the store, with people who don't know God and do not believe in His miracles.

So often I find myself questioning God, wondering if he really is present in the plan for my life. Is he really there if I don't always feel him? YES!

I was reading Romans 8 and was convicted in so many ways. Here is on part that struck me, but the WHOLE chapter is amazing.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn amone many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; and those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him him for us all - how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died - more than that, who was raised to life - is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall seperate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:

"For your sake we face dealth all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to seperate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It talks about what could seperate us from the love of Christ - trouble, hardship, persecution, famine, nakedness, danger, or sword?

There are people that are suffering through things like this everyday and still choose to follow Jesus. I feel so convicted by that. The things I think are difficult, and question God about, are nothing in comparison.

I believe God is a loving, caring God, that still works miracles. I pray that through me being different, It will help people see how God can intercede in any situation!