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Let me ask you a question: Do you live and act like everybody else around you? If you answered yes, that means, by definition, you’re average. To be like everyone else, is to be considered ‘typical or usual.’
You don’t want to be like everyone else. There’s nobody in the world who wakes up in the morning saying, “Woo! I can’t wait to be average today!” No. So why do we always want to be like everybody else?! When you stand out, when you're willing to be a little bit different, watch how God can use you.
I remember right before the 2009 BCS National Championship Game between Florida and Oklahoma, I felt like God wanted me to write John 3:16 in eye black under my eyes. So I did. Ninety million people would Google John 3:16 that day! Exactly three years later, during my first NFL Playoff game with the Denver Broncos against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2012, the strangest thing happened that I can only attribute to God. During the game:
- I threw for 316 yards,
- My yards were per rush were 3.16
- My yards per completion were 31.6
- The ratings for the game were 31.6
- The time of possession was 31:06, and
- Ninety million people would Google John 3:16 again that day!
That’s more than a coincidence. Because of some silly eye black and a silver Sharpie, millions of people were reminded of what Jesus did for them on the cross. And the best part about the story is that it had nothing to do with me. Because honestly, I had no clue what God was up to behind the scenes. It’s truly a testimony to how big our God is!
When you’re willing to be different for the sake of Christ, God wants to use you and will use you.
And you know what, it’s not always going to be well-received by others. We don’t follow Jesus to become popular. In John 15:18, Jesus told his disciples, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” The world will not always like the things God wants you to do. But you have to decide, is the mission worth it?
For the disciples it was. For me, it is. A Mission Mindset is not about being liked. A Mission Mindset sets aside what’s ‘normal’ and thinks of ways to stand out and stand up for God and people.
Would your co-workers, your classmates, your friends, your family say there's anything different about you? About the way that you care? About the way that you give? About the way that you love? About the way that you help people? Is there anything different about you than everybody else?
As the apostle Paul said, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind[set]…” (Rom. 12:2). Think different. Act different. Be different.
Go create a life that counts,
Timmy
Sneak peak @ next week: S - Suffer
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