I Am Unique....or Perhaps Just A Bit Odd.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, 

so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

Ephesians 2:10

Have you ever wondered what would happen if we were all exactly the same?
     *   Everyone would hate asparagas.
     *   Everyone would have already heard all the jokes, so no one would laugh.
     *   Everyone would dress in tiedye.
     *   There would be no need to have conversations because everyone already knows what everyone else would say.
     *   There would be no competitions because everyone was exactly the same.
     *   We would be SO bored (and boring).


Honestly, Science fascinates me, but I don't seem to understand it.  Math bores me to tears and I am convinced this is why we have computers.  I love people watching.  I love trying to observe details.  Large crowds make me uncomfortable, because I am an Introvert.  I have Sound Sensitivity (also known as Misophonia) and really want to punch people who, for example, cannot seem to chew gum with their mouth closed.


So what am I trying to say?  God made you weird for a reason (some weirder than others), in order that you can fulfill HIS purpose.  So what does all this mean?  STOP TRYING TO BE A CLONE just so you'll "fit in."  Be who God made you to be!

Dare To Be Unique

Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to him and what is perfect.

Romans 12:2

There's a song by Jimmy Buffett that I have always liked, it's called "Fruicake" and you can find it on YouTube. (Fruitcake)

You've seen them.  You may even know some of them.  And, quite honestly, you might even BE one of them.  You know the ones......they are wound up so tight that they could potentially spring over Mt. Everest.  These spring loaded folks tend to have health ailments resulting from their being so uptight all the time. And because they are uptight and not feeling completely well, they like to spread their "joy" far and wide to everyone they can.

But look at what the Apostle Paul is reminding us to do...."Do not be shaped by this world."  Now this doesn't mean we are to stop personal hygiene and run naked through the streets laughing hysterically like minions.  This means we are to remember that, while we are ON this world for a brief time, we are to BE DIFFERENT!  

Here are a few practical ways to be different:

• Say "Please" when you desire something and "Thank You" when you receive your answer.
• Realize that we will not always get our way, so be different by saying "Okay" and move on with your life.
• Be kind to others.
• Hold the door for others.
• Encourage someone you know needs it.
• Laugh
• Smile
• Help someone who has a burden they are having to carry (physically, emotionally, etc.)
• Make it a point to let someone else go first.
• Bring me coffee
• Give your time to a good cause.

You get the picture.  Be different by doing to others as you would want done to you.  And remember...happiness and contentment are DECISIONS!

Fool Me Once!

But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

2 Corinthians 11:14-15

"Fool me one, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."  We've all heard this saying before, yet we fall for it time and time again, don't we?  And when we fall for it the third, fourth, fifteenth time, we STILL don't take responsibility for not learning.  We are enticed by our own desires because what we desire "feels so right."  

Just because something "feels so right" does not make it right.  The Ancient Chinese General Sun Tzu is quoted as saying: "Hold out baits to entice the enemy. Feign disorder, and crush him."   

We are enticed by what? The opportunity to earn some extra money?  To get that bigger house?  To fudge on the rules because, after all, "everyone does it"?

Think about how we are enticed by advertisers with phrases like "But for only a few dollars more, you could have....." or "Why would you settle for the silver package when for just a little bit more (usually a couple of pints of blood or a limb) you can upgrade to the GOLD package."  Or you are looking at a home to purchase and get caught up in all the "high end" upgrades, when what you truly need (since you're working so much to make the money to pay for all these upgrades) is simply a place to put your clothes.

We are constantly being enticed, and with things that are appealing to us.  Let's face it, if sin wasn't fun...we would have no trouble resisting.  This is why I am not enticed by the offerings of broccoli, or onions, or big bags of stable muck. These things are not attractive to me and I have no trouble saying "No thanks, I'm good without them."

I'm also not advocating a life of living in a cave, eating crawly critters, and having disregarding personal hygiene.  We must learn that not everything the glitters is gold and we must learn to be strong enough to resist the temptation by thinking things through.