Fashioned By GodSample

You Were Fashioned To Be Different From The World

The verses for today were taken from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, which described how his followers should live. Jesus consistently spoke of behavior that contradicted what society expected, and it was even inconsistent with what religion taught them. As believers, we’re supposed to stand out in a good way.

I was a teen who felt different from everyone around me because I looked different. My acne, braces, and glasses made me feel set apart from my peers. They treated me as if I might be contagious. This kind of rejection is not what Jesus meant. But our unique qualities should be contagious. When others notice and quiz us about a way we act or talk that is a result of our relationship with Jesus, we need to be open and honest about our reason. When people see a positive trait in someone, they want in on it too.

Take some time later today to read the entire Sermon on the Mount. Pay close attention to the ways in which Jesus’ teachings differed from societal expectations. Journal your thoughts about your own life. Does it more closely mirror Jesus’ words or your culture? What do you hear Jesus telling you to change? What can stay?

Do your wardrobe choices reflect your own personality and values, or do you tend to go with the crowd? Think about the image you want to project and evaluate your clothes with it in mind. Do you dress like the stereotypical librarian even though your personality is extroverted? Try adding a bit of flair in accessories and some hints of color to a mostly neutral wardrobe. Are there any less-than-modest fads that you’ve adopted without giving them any consideration? Carefully selecting what to keep and what not to keep takes time and effort, but the end result is contagious. Others will want to find out how you achieved a put-together, feminine-yet-modest, stylish, and personality-filled wardrobe.