Brave enough to be different
Do you remember the pressure you felt as a child or teenager when you worried about fitting in with the crowd? We want to be affirmed and accepted, don’t we? But are we brave enough to be different?
Out of season
In the mid-south, azaleas typically bloom in April and early May. This past week (in October), one of my azaleas popped forth with a single bloom. She showed her stuff out of season–brave enough to be different.
I’m reminded by this lesson in nature that our behavior stands out when we’re different from the crowd. Being different can take the form of positive or negative actions. When we refuse to conform to the laws of our land and cheat, steal, or harm someone, we’re being different from society’s expectations, but not in a way that demonstrates kindness, respect, or love for others.
On the other hand, if we step forth to help someone in need who is neglected by others, we are different in a way which shows love to our neighbor. Examples could include:
- Assist someone in the grocery store who cannot reach a product they need.
- Speak to the person who stands alone in a group gathering.
- Express gratitude to a person who has completed a task for you or others, rather than taking for granted their effort.
- Make a point, whenever possible, to make eye contact and speak with an individual with disabilities, rather than pretend we don’t see them.
- Volunteer at an agency that assists at-risk populations–a woman’s shelter, a prison or half-way house, a homeless shelter, or any non-profit that helps others.
Ruth was brave enough to be different
The story of Ruth reminds us love is a powerful motivator to encourage us to be different when it is right to do so.
Elimelek, Naomi, and their family moved to Moab to escape famine in Judah. The sons married Moabite women. While there, Elimelek and his two sons died. Naomi made the decision to return to their homeland, but she encouraged her daughters-in law to stay in Moab and seek out their families.
With persuasion, Orpah, one of the young women left Naomi and stayed in Moab. The other daughter-in-law, Ruth, vowed to go with Naomi back to Judah. The cultural norm of the time expected Ruth stay with her father’s people, not trek to a foreign country to live in a different culture.
Image by 🌼Christel🌼 from Pixabay
Ruth was brave enough to eschew cultural norms and follow where her heart led her.
But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. (Ruth 1:16)
Ruth did the right thing. She followed Naomi, and loved, respected, and honored her mother-in-law. She followed Naomi’s guidance, and recognized the one true God. Although doing the right thing doesn’t guarantee happiness, Ruth was richly blessed by her decision.
Ruth found family, security, love, and happiness in her new country.
When we choose the right thing over society’s expectations, we aren’t guaranteed security, love and happiness. But even though we aren’t promised those needs, are we brave enough to do the right thing?
Right choices are not always easy, but, with God’s help, we can make them. Thanks for the reminder, Katherine.
I agree, Diana, and sometimes the right choice is still a painful pill to swallow. Your reminder is apt–God will guide us to make the right decisions. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
We need to seek God’s expectations, not society’s. Great post, Katherine!
Sometimes it’s hard to overpower the influence of society and the secular world. I’m so thankful we have our Lord to guide us. Wishing you a blessed week, Vera.
Yes, we need to be more like Ruth and Esther, standing up for what is right even when it’s difficult. Thanks for your post. Thought provoking, as always❤️!
You’ve reminded us of a critical point, Suzanne. We have many wonderful role models in the Bible who showed their strength, courage, and faith when making tough decisions. God is always there to answer our prayers as we ask for His guidance. I hope your week is filled with sunshine and joy.
The book of Ruth is one of my favorites. She, Esther, and Rahab all did the right thing at great risk. We have strong examples to follow. Of course, Jesus is the best model of doing the right thing and He is our strength and shield. Thanks, Katherine.
I agree, Barbara, Jesus is our best role model to show us how to live and make decisions according to His guidance. Thank you for reminding us of other wonderful role models of faith and obedience. Peace and blessings.
Another great post Ms. Katherine. Something we should all remember, and thank you for reminding us, is that the small kindness or helping hand we might extend is an opportunity to show Christ’s presence in our lives. Remember too that while we may be tempted to “look the other way” or cross the street, God knows our every thought and sees our every action. We will all one day be held accountable for those things too. I pray often for God’s help to keep me from losing rewards that I might one day lay at His feet because I chose not to be “different” in that moment.
Thank you for your wise insight, my friend. You have such an amazing ability to delve deeper into the meaning of our messages and point out aspects we didn’t include. Thank you. Like you, I pray for our Father’s guidance in “being different” in the ways He would have us to be. Wishing many blessings to shower on the Cross-Dubya this week.
Won’t it be something wonderful when we discover all the lives that were changed because we were courageous enough to be different. Thanks for this great post!
Yes, Mary! To think that we can have a small part in sharing the light and love of Jesus with others–what an amazing hope. We can all make a difference. Thank you, Mary.
Those who dare to do the right or brave deed make a larger impact on others than they realize, I think. Because their motivations are pure, they see their choice as the only choice – not extraordinary at all.
My plants get confused sometimes, too. Great takeaway from your late-blooming azalea.
I’ve known people who took great risks to do the right thing and I marvel at their courage. Yet each of us can make a difference even in the small things. Thank your for sharing your thoughts–they added so much to my message. Blessings!
I love the story of Ruth, and her bravery always inspires me. Thank you for reminding me there are many ways to choose to do what is right and brave, and I need the Holy Spirit to point those out to me each day.
We are so blessed to have the Holy Spirit dwelling within us–always just a prayer away. I need that constant presence to help in those tough decisions (and even with the not as tough decisions). Wishing you peace and blessings, Sylvia.
Jim Caviezel says, “We weren’t made to fit in. We were made to stand out.”
Amen, Katherine. God bless!
He’s one of my favorite actors–so glad we have some positive roles models in the movie industry. Yes, Jesus reminded us we are called to be different because of the gift of salvation. Thank you for sharing, Nancy. Blessings!
Another beautiful post.
Thank you, Jen. So glad you’re feeling better. Joy and blessings!
Thanks for encouraging us to do the right thing in both big and small ways.
Thank you, Joanna, for your love for and service to Jesus. His light shines through you.
Thank you Katherine for reminding me of the importance of doing what’s right all the time even if others mock me. I want to be different for God.
You expressed our calling so well, Yvonne, we are to be different for and because of God. He shows us the way and guides our steps. Thank you for your service to Him.
Katherine, your post reminded me of how the NT calls us a peculiar people! The closer we walk with Jesus the more peculiar we look to the world. Thanks for the encouragement.
We are definitely peculiar, Debbie, but aren’t we blessed in that way–to be recognized as different because of Jesus? Thank you for making a difference in the lives of those to whom you minister. May God continue to bless your service to Him.
Katherine, I don’t think we ever really get over that longing to belong and fear of being different, so thanks for this post with some practical ways to be brave!
I agree, Kathy. I think we always have that need to belong–to fit in. I’m so thankful we “fit in” with the family of God. I’m grateful for your encouragement. Blessings!
With right choices comes contentment–no small thing! Thank you for the challenge, Katherine to do what’s right–because it’s the best choice.
Those choices are hard at times. but we are blessed to have the Holy Spirit right with us to help us make decisions according to our Lord’s will. Thank you, Nancy. Wishing you a blessed weekend.