Being Different
Romans 12:4-6 Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don't all do the same thing. In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others. We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us.
Sometimes, that feeling of “being different” can have a really damaging impact on our sense of self. So much so, that low self-esteem is rampant in society today.You know that feeling you get sometimes, that you’re different? That you just don’t fit in? That somehow, you’re a misfit and you’re never really going to be one of the crowd?
And that sense that, “I don’t fit in” can travel with you for a lifetime. It’s really tough, and what makes it even worse, is that you feel as though you’re the only one.
But the truth is, we all feel different. We all have this sense that we’re not like all the other kids. And there’s a reason for that. It’s as plain as the nose on my face.
The reason we all feel different is because – wait for it – we are!
Romans 12:4-6 Each one of us has one body, and that body has many parts. These parts don’t all do the same thing. In the same way, we are many people, but in Christ we are all one body. We are the parts of that body, and each part belongs to all the others. We all have different gifts. Each gift came because of the grace God gave us.
Walk into any room full of people and tell me, how many look the same, are wearing the same clothes, have the same hairstyle? None of them! Because we’re all different!
And that’s because God planned it that way. He always meant for it to be that way. The God who created three hundred and sixty thousand species of beetles, for goodness sake, is a God who loves diversity. He loves it that you and I are different.
He loves you just the way you are.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Blessed by this devotion?
Share it with a friend!
Respond
Berni Dymet
Two powerful testimonies of God’s amazing love. Thank you so much for sharing that with the rest of us Rodney! Berni
Two powerful testimonies of God’s amazing love. Thank you so much for sharing that with the rest of us Rodney! Berni
Rodney
I am the youngest of 9 children and am at present 69 years old. My whole family have passed away. Because I was shy as ...
more
I am the youngest of 9 children and am at present 69 years old. My whole family have passed away.
Because I was shy as a result of being bullied as a child at school and elswhere I was extremely shy and had a very bad self image. On the 11th of August 1975 I gave my life to the Lord Jesus and a couple of years later I went to Israel and worked for a year on a kibbutz.
For ten years after my salvation I begged God to give me a wife and upon my return to Durban I told the Lord that I would never ask Him for a wife again but that I would become a missionery and serve Him for the rest of my life.
When I arrived in Durban my friends met me at the airport and told me that they had a wife for me.
I told them that I didn’t want a wife and what I had told the Lord.
Seven months later we were married but I still had this terrible problem with my self Image.
About a year later I was on my way to go and have a councelling session concerning my problem and whilst waiting for a lift to where I would be councelled a lady from our mission told me to stop relying on people but that I must go to Jesus.
When she walked away the Lord spoke to me as clearly as that lady did, and this is what He said.
RODNEY, I DON’T CARE WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU. I THINK YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL AND I LOVE YOU.
Now some of you may think that I was imagining what I heard but during my +- 42 years of salvation the Lord has spoken to me about four other times like this.
After He spoke to me concerning my problem I was a completely different person and don’t care a hoot about my looks. One day my daughter said to us. “I’m ugly.
I answered her saying. Talitha. “it’s not what we look like on the outside that matters, It’s what is on the inside that matters. I have some seen some very beautiful people on the outside but on the inside they can be pretty ugly.
A few months later my daughter and son in law were looking for accommodation and while they were viewing the premises the lady said to my daughter. Excuse me my dear I hope you don’t mind me saying so, but do you know that you are beautiful.
That sums it all up.
Its what is on the inside that matters.
Blessings,
Rodney.