Rising Above the Norm

Matthew 5:43-48 ESV

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

Jesus was showing His disciples to rise above the norm, dare to be different from the world and the worldly system of thinking and acting. To be a light to the world is to be a breath of fresh air,. Show kindness and love more than your circle of family and friends, step out and show Jesus through our words, actions and good deeds.

We should share the light that is in us to people outside of our circle of influence. That is stretching us to be who we were called to be. Loving the unlovable is what Jesus did and what we were designed to do. The Holy Spirit inside of us wants to do more than keep us in God’s favor, He wants us to shine so that all the world can see the goodness of God in us.

Start small, smile at someone that seems like they need a smile. Say something kind to someone who looks like they need a word of encouragement. When someone cuts us off in traffic, back off and let them have their way, don’t be aggressive and act like the world. We may lose five seconds of time but dare to be different from the world’s thinking and the way they do things. Pray for those who seem to have something against us.

Prayer:

Lord, today, let me be You to the world. Let the old nature die and let Your light shine through me. I could be the difference maker in someone’s life if I would just put away petty thinking and allow You to flow through me. We live in a world that says, “what can I do for me.” I don’t want to be like the world, I want to be like You. In Your name Lord Jesus, Amen!