I Want to Be Different

"Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes." Romans 12:2 TPT

A cry of my heart for years now is a song written by Micah Tyler, Different. The lyrics are:

I don't wanna hear anymore, teach me to listen
I don't wanna see anymore, give me a vision
That you could move this heart, to be set apart

I don't need to recognize, the man in the mirror
And I don't wanna trade Your plan, for something familiar
I can't waste a day, I can't stay the same

I wanna be different
I wanna be changed
'Til all of me is gone
And all that remains
Is a fire so bright
The whole world can see
That there's something different
So come and be different
In me

And I don't wanna spend my life, stuck in a pattern
And I don't wanna gain this world but lose what matters
And so I'm giving up, everything because

I know that I am far from perfect (oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
But through You, the cross still says I'm worth it (oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh-oh)
So take this beating in my heart and
Come and finish what You started
When they see me, let them see You
'Cause I just wanna be different, yeah

The truth is humanity likes comfort. Our flesh is easily persuaded to resist change. Change to many is like a bad word. Change brings so much insecurity towards their comfort and peace of mind. But what if we perceive change as metamorphous. Like a caterpillar going through metamorphous to change to a beautiful butterfly. Wings didn't grow in a day, it's a process. The caterpillar must consume lots of food, before it chooses to go into its crystalis stage. This stage is similar to a term we are more aware of such as hibernation, aka seclusion. God is a gentleman he won't force you to consume his WORD (BIBLE), and then lock you in a house and demand that you transform over night. Rather He will inspire you be the Holy Spirit to desire him and his word, detach yourself from people, places, and things that are of this world and this culture, and begin to conform you. God has given us free-will draw near to him, and he will draw near to us. (James 4:8)

Change begins to occur when you yield to the potter's hand, like clay we begin the process of transformation. Scripture says

in 2 Corinthians 4:7-9,"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure. This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves. 8We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed but not driven to despair. 9We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies."

Many Christians love the idea of salvation,

redemption and restoration. But few like the process of sanctification and

purification. Our flesh is being crucified, when we say yes to God and obey his

word, his voice, and his ways. God's kingdom is contrast to the world. It's

righteous, it's pure, it's holy, it's just, it's true, it's light. Like dirty

clothes that have been stained, they go into the washer, hot water, soap, and

intense spinning begin to pull out the impurities. We must allow the Holy-Spirit

to pull out our impurities. The psalmist cries out ," Search me, O God,

and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in

me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life."

Psalms 139:23-24 (NLT) We should take the time for self-reflection, look in the

mirror and begin to have God show you the areas in our lives that are not

pleasing to him. He is so merciful and forgiving. He gives us the ability to do

what pleases him through his grace.2 Corinthians 12:9 (NLT) "Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works

best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the

power of Christ can work through me."

Jesus is the master at creating masterpieces.

He can take a black and white canvas a create something beautiful. About 6

years ago, i had a dream of a male's thumb dipped in colored paint stroking

color onto a black and white canvas board. God reminded me that he's not done

yet, he is making all things beautiful in his time.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) 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.

Prayer:

Dear God, I want to reflect your Son Jesus.

Purify me Lord. Renew me till all of me is gone, and all of you remains. I want

to be DIFFERENT.

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References:

Ephesians 4:24 (TPT)

And to be transformed as you embrace the

glorious Christ-within as your new life and live in union with him! For God has

re-created you all over again in his perfect righteousness, and you now belong

to him in the realm of true holiness.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (TPT)

We can all draw close to him with the veil

removed from our faces. And with no veil we all become like mirrors who

brightly reflect the glory of the Lord Jesus . We are being transfigured into

his very image as we move from one brighter level of glory to another. And this

glorious transfiguration comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Romans 12:1 (TPT)

Beloved friends, what should be our proper

response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his

sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights

his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.