WEEK FOUR: GOD IS BETTER

When I was young, there was one thing about me that made me different from everyone else in my class, and to my little brain, it felt like the most embarrassing and frustrating thing about me: I was left-handed. When we were writing our vocabulary words, I would always get pencil smudges all over my hand and arm. I couldn’t write well on the chalk board or white board without messing up and erasing over what was already written. Sometimes the teacher had to get out a special measuring cup or pair of scissors for our crafts and activities, and I hated the attention it placed on me. In gym class and recess, I would be humiliated when I couldn’t kick or throw or play the game like everyone else because I hadn’t been taught how to adapt the sport to my body’s natural orientation. Why couldn’t I just be like everyone else?

Well, now as an adult, I have come to learn that there are tons of benefits to being left-handed!

For example, in some sports, “lefties” are a well sought commodity (like southpaw pitchers in baseball or fighters who can deliver a powerful unexpected left hook to their opponent). Studies show that statistically, left-handed drivers get into fewer car accidents than right-handed ones. Lefties overall can type more words per minute than right-handed people (I’m feeling more proud right now as I efficiently and quickly type these facts into this study guide)! Maybe being different isn’t so bad after all!

As followers of Jesus, we are called to be different. We are meant to be set apart and distinct from everyone else. And sometimes that doesn’t feel great. Sometimes it feels frustrating or even downright unfair. But do we trust that God has a reason for setting us apart? When we live a life holy and separate according to God’s will, we get to show off God’s greatness and the unique plan and purpose we are privileged to be a part of. When we believe that God’s ways are better than our ways, we get to participate in and be witnesses of a display of God’s creativity and glory when we follow this calling on our lives.

Let’s be unique. Let’s be set apart. Let’s be different.