Dare To Be Different

But the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge by a man's face or height, for this is not the one. I don't make decisions the way you do! Men judge by outward appearance, but I look at a man's thoughts and intentions." 1 Samuel 16:7 The Living Bible (KJV, NIV says the LORD looks at the heart)

Good Morning Girlfriends:

There is such an excitement in my spirit when I think about "daring to be different." When ever I go shopping, I like to pick out things that are uniquely different from other things, things that will stand out, things that a person would not see every where they go. When it comes to fashion, I tend to gravitate to bright bold colors, bold patterns, clothes that has a shine, glitter, or sparkle of some kind. It's the same way that I decorate my home, everything is bright and vivid, very colorful. These are just some things that are different about me than other people, but I wanted to share with you some other characteristics of what it is like to be different, and the first person that comes to my mind, is Daniel in the Bible, a man with great excellence.

Daniel was successful in every way, serving under many different types of kings from Nebuchadnezzar, to Belshazzar to Darius, all the way to Cyrus, always moving to the top. It was said that Daniel was educated, but he was not the most educated person. Daniel was fortunate but not the most fortunate, he had friends in high places. Let's read about some of Daniels qualities.

1. He was committed: Commitment is the desire to stay faithful, as it tells us in Prov. 3:1, "My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments." Daniel was committed to doing and giving his best to every kingdom, everywhere and everything he did, it was his best. He was a blessing every where he went. Daniel was committed to being a good and worthy example.

2. He was competent in trusting the Lord with all his heart; and he didn't lean on his own understanding Prov. 3:5. When Daniel showed up for a job, he did his job to the best of his ability, he gave it his best, he had wisdom and understanding to do things up and above what was requested. Daniel was well trained in literature, science and engineering, he was top notch. He was able to multi task in order to to many things at one time, or to do new things when old ways had been done away with.

3. Daniel was courageous, he had a heart to serve, he courage to serve a vision with his all. Daniel had been kidnapped by Nebuchadnezzar, but he had courage put that aside because he recognized that God had put him in that place so that his skill could bring a change.

4. Daniel had compassion, a love to meet needs of others. His compassion enabled him to share the truth with kindness, it helped him to feel the pain of others. Daniel was led by compassion, it was the fuel for his spiritual mission, like it tells us in Matt. 14:14, "And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." Compassion challenges others to become better.

5. Daniel was creative, he was able to create and and produce change. Daniel was open to new ideas, finding better ways to do things, looking for ways to improve things. He embraced new leadership, he would find the answers to questions, and he was willing to take on new areas of responsibility. Daniel didn't have to seek a promotion, he always sought excellence which brought promotion and that is what kept Daniel at the top.

Girlfriends, each of these attributes are what kept Daniel to be at the top of any job that he had, he was willing to go the extra mile at his job. He was the best that the kings could find in the land, he was trust worthy in every area. Whether we are at a job, a marriage, a ministry, whatever we are doing, we should always do it to the best of our ability and strive to go the extra mile to be the best at whatever it is. There is always room for improvement in anything that we do, even in baking, raising children, singing a song, reaching out to help a neighbor, to take extra time for prayer, let's strive to be the best "Us" that we can be, remember what we plant now, we will harvest later, hold onto that thought, Amen? Let's dare to be different, not only in the way we look, but in the way our hearts are presented. Let's let Jesus clean us up to be the best, most wonderful, different "Me," "You," that we can be.

Let's Pray,

Father God, I praise You Lord for Your majestic ways, You are the Lord of Lords and there is no one like You. Lord, help each one of us to strive to be more and more like You in every way possible. Help us to show the precious love of Jesus to others who walk in this dark world, let us be Your flashlights that shine the wonderful name of and love of Jesus wherever You plant our feet, whoever You connect us with. Let us never forget where we came from and that if it wasn't for someone sharing Your love with us, we would not be who we are today. I lift up Your wonderful name, the name of Jesus, Amen.

Be blessed sweet girlfriends, and pass the blessings on wherever you go.