Day 24: Different

When you look at yourself, do you see nothing but ordinary?
Nondescript?
Average?

When you see something about you that is different,
do you devalue your difference?
See it as weird?
Something to be hidden?
Something to be altered to resemble standards not made for you,
you who are a citizen of the Kingdom that lasts forever?

This eternal Kingdom is ruled by the King who will never be dethroned.
Remember who you.
Remember whose you are.
You are different.
Own your difference.

“For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light] (for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]” (Ephesians 5:8-10, AMP).

This post is for Day 24 of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Writing Challenge. The theme of my series is, “Season,” based on the definition, “make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used.” Please click here to find the Table of Contents and links to other posts in the series.

Day 23: Need

God is our greatest need. We are dependent on Him for every breath we inhale and exhale. The resources we use are His. The gifts we have are His. As He tells us through the Apostle James, ^“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes] (James 1;17, AMP).

God is our greatest need. And yet, we need each other. Not in the same way we need God but we need each other. And this need is His doing. He has so purposed it that we develop in the context of our relationships.  Iron sharpening iron. Each a member of Christ’s body. Each with a special purpose and function. God is our greatest need. But we need each other. He designed it to be so.

This post is for Day 23 of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes Writing Challenge. The theme of my series is, “Season,” based on the definition, “make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used.” Please click here to find the Table of Contents and links to other posts in the series.

31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes: Introduction and Day 1 – Why

INTRODUCTION

I am participating in the 2019 Edition of the 31 Days of Five Minute Free Writes. My theme is “Season.” The definition of “Season” that frames my writing for this challenge is, “make (wood) suitable for use as timber by adjusting its moisture content to that of the environment in which it will be used.” I will reference various passages of Scripture but Ephesians 2:10 will serve as my foundation verse, “For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]” (Ephesians 2:10, AMP).

DAY 1:“Why?”

“Why am I here?” “Why was I born?” These questions are a wrestling arena for most people at some stage of life. They are significant questions that can be a source of torment when unanswered or answered incorrectly; however, when answered correctly, can provide direction and purpose.  Where can we find the correct answers to these questions?  In the Bible. Here are some verses that could be a starting point. 

“For You formed my innermost parts; You knit me [together] in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks and praise to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written The days that were appointed for me, When as yet there was not one of them [even taking shape]” (Psalm 139:13-16, AMP).

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; have appointed you as a prophet to the nations” (Jeremiah 1:5, AMP).

“For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us]” (Ephesians 2:10, AMP).

 The answer to the questions, “Why am I here?” and “Why was I born?” is, “For God’s purpose.” And He seasons us, that is, makes us suitable for the environments in which He will use us.

The link to each post in the series will be added to the Table of Contents below. Please click on the link to read each post.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Day 1: Why 

Day 2: Gift

Day 3: Problem

Day 4: Listen

Day 5 : Other

Day 6: Notice

Day 7: Same

Day 8: Gather

Day 9: Join

Day 10: Scared

Day 11: Deep

Day 12: First

Day 13: Reach

Day 14: Voice

Day 15: Open

Day 16: Avoid

Day 17: Consistent

Day 18: Active

Day 19: Strong

Day 20: Tell

Day 21: Person

Day 22: Sense

Day 23: Need

Day 24: Different

Day 25: Wait

Day 26: Accept

Day 27: Better

Day 28: Test

Day 29: Practice

Day 30: Memory

Day 31: Enjoy

A time

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,
    And a time to die;
A time to plant,
    And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
    And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
    And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
    And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
    And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
    And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
    And a time to refrain from embracing;
 A time to gain,
    And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
    And a time to throw away;
 A time to tear,
    And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
    And a time to speak;
A time to love,
    And a time to hate;
A time of war,
    And a time of peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8; New King James Version)

 “And of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times to know what Israel ought to do, 200 chiefs; and all their kinsmen were under their command” (1 Chronicles 12:32; Amplified Bible; italics added).

These verses seem to highlight two facts: (1) there is a time for everything; and, (2) in order to know what to do in each time or season of life, I must understand the time or season which I inhabit. Abba, grant me discernment, I pray. In Jesus Name.