Why Are Others So Different?

"If we had known what you were like, we would have invited more people."

Ah, I encountered this phrase for years at gigs. Then the organizers would often explain to me that they were hesitant to invite a lot of people because I was so extroverted, seemed different from what people might be used to, wore shoes that were a little too high, or, or, or....

Afterwards, when I had opened my heart unsparingly in front of the audience and everyone could see how serious I am about my relationship with Jesus, the apologies came and the regrets: "Oh man, that would have been something for my neighbors today..."

Maybe you also live with such prejudice. That's not bad at all, as long as you keep going and keep loving, because not everyone can immediately see or understand why you are the way you are.

We should also celebrate the gift of faith more consciously. Just as God created each person differently, He has a different relationship with each one. Because of that, He can also reach many different types of people.

Because each person is different, you are also needed, just as you are!

This is nothing new! Abraham had concealed from King Abimelech that Sarah was already married to him, and he was devastated when he heard that Abimelech had taken her. What drama!

Abimelech asked Abraham, "What were you thinking when you did this?" (Genesis 20:10 GW) Yes, a good question!

"Abraham said, “I thought that because there are no God-fearing people in this place, I’d be killed because of my wife." (Genesis 20:11 GW). This was definitely a prejudice, for the king had great respect for God, who even met him in a dream!

Let us learn from this today to love, respect and appreciate people who believe in the one true God but express it differently! Ephesians reminds us that there is “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all…” (Ephesians 4:5-6, NIV) Because only together—because each of us is different—will we make a difference in this world!

It will take EVERY one of us!

Thank you for you!

You are a miracle!

Déborah