In Titus, we read about how the different believers should be treated according to their abilities and needs. Old men are given one set of instructions, young women another, and slaves something else.
That's something that is important to realize regarding following Jesus. It doesn't look the same for everyone. We are all called to holiness... to love and peace and patience and joy. But how those things play out in each of our lives does not always look the same.
In fact, one thing we notice as we look at the lives of the saints is how different they are. When we walk closely with God, we don't become one big homogenized, Borg-like mass. In fact, the closer to come to God, the more our individual personality shines. The more we become more and more who He created us to be - which is different from everyone else.
Another thing to realize about this is that we are not all created to do the same thing, to have the same strengths. That's one of the reasons that comparing ourselves to others is so bad for us. When I look at someone else and see how THEY follow God, it is easy for me to think that I'm doing something wrong because I don't do it like that. Or, we might find ourselves in pride as we think of things that WE are good at that are lacking in our friend's life.
That's not to say that we shouldn't take a look at the lives of other Christians and be inspired by them. But we should always keep in mind that while God will work in our lives like He is working in their life, He might not (will probably not) do it the same way.
God, thank You for calling us all to follow You in our own unique way.
2 comments:
One of the most useful sayings in recent years ( last 20) is the wrist bands.....WWJD......just a small thing but to focus, touch, feel this little reminder daily can and does help to keep us focused on others instead of our self.
Yes-- the simplicity in the focus of WWJD. As the world grows in choices and distractions, these small focus points are so very useful!
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