Dare To Be Different

It's funny how God can use any and everything to bring revelation and encouragement.

This morning while at my desk, I began to think about the movie, "Boomerang."  You remember the movie right?  Eddie Murphy played "Marcus", a successful advertising executive who had a well-known reputation for being a womanizer and playboy....that is until he met "Jackie" (played by Robin Givens).  Anyways, the movie was a funny satire about karma and getting what you dish out.

Even though the movie was extremely funny, this morning the main characters were not who I found myself focused on. Oddly enough, I found myself thinking about a character named "Strange'" (pronounced Stron-jay), played by the infamous Grace Jones.   Strange' was in fact 'strange' in many ways.  She didn't look like everyone else.  She didn't dress like everyone else.  She didn't even act like everyone else  She was a beautiful and bold woman, who made no apologies for who she was.  When she entered a room, everyone took notice.  There was just "something" about her - something different that one could not put their finger.

As I pondered over this, the scripture Psalm 139:14 immediately came to mind: "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made:  marvelous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well."  God's Word states that we are a "royal priesthood" and a "peculiar" people (1 Peter2:9).  In some instances, God expects us to have the attitude that Strange' exhibits.  We must recognize and accept the fact that we don't fit in with the rest of the world and we aren't supposed to be timid, fearful people, for the Bible states in II Timothy 1:7: "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind."  

So don't get discouraged just because you're "different" from the rest.  Count it a blessing!  There is a reason for it and it's all working for your good.  As a single mother, I can recall many times when I witnessed other women in the same predicament as myself doing things that my beliefs would not allow me to do.  They partied, had men, drank, drugged, had bills paid for them, etc.  But the Bible states, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"  

Stay in the race you're in!  Ladies believe me, it simply isn't worth it to compromise your salvation and integrity for "stuff."  You WILL regret it if you do.  Dare to be "strange" and "different" and be content with it.  You'll find that people will respect you more for being who God has called you to be as opposed to "attempting" to keep up with everyone else.  After all, you ARE the best and only version of you and God Himself made you that way.  So don't waste time on mimicking others.  Be that peculiar, beautiful, bold, holy and "different" woman of God that you are.  And just watch and see how many you attract.  Others can't help BUT to be drawn to you.  You ARE unique!

Stay blessed sisters and I love you just as you are!