Standing Out In The Crowd

While at a meeting last week, someone raised the shades on the window. Glancing out into the bright, sunshiny day, this tree grabbed my attention.

And you can see why. It's taller than the others. It's a different shape and completely lacking what all the others around it have - leaves!

I don't know if anyone else in the room noticed this tree, but I definitely did. It stood out in the crowd like no other could.

Someone else might look at it and say it's just a dead tree. It does look much like the Charlie Brown tree in that classic Christmas show. They might even go cut it down to make that area look prettier and more well-kept.

What is there in you that makes you stand out in the crowd? Nothing naturally. That's why the world is so intent on looking like everyone else - so you won't stand out, be ridiculed or noticed. Just blend in. Be like your friends. Be careful not to be too different.

That's a sad way to live when Scripture tells you you're special.

 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves. I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. John 17:13-18

When someone is different, they stand out. When someone has something different, they stand out.

You and I have something inside us that is completely different from the world - Jesus Christ. That's why we can't fade into the wallpaper or blend into the carpet. We will be noticed - not because of who we are, but because of Who lives inside us.

I don't mind looking like the giant, bare tree in the middle of the green forest below. As long as my Lord is the One being reflected, it's alright to be front and center.

Then I can give Him all the glory and honor and praise. He is so worthy.

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