Not Unusual - but Un-Usual!

un·u·su·al/Adj

1. Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.

2. Remarkable or interesting because different from or better than others: "a man of unusual talent".

Christianity can be considered un-usual. (I'm sure we’ve all met some ‘unusual’ Christians in our time but this is not what I’m advocating!) The wisdom of God, or the ways of God can seem un-usual against the backdrop of the world’s deeds and creeds. In the economy of God, things seem back to front or upside down - get is give; up is down; high is low; great is serve; revenge is forgive; wide is narrow and find is lose. The Bible makes a clear distinction between worldly wisdom and the wisdom of God. 

 “Don't fool yourself. Don't think that you can be wise merely by being up-to-date with the times. Be God's fool—that's the path to true wisdom. What the world calls smart, God calls stupid.” It's written in Scripture, He exposes the chicanery of the chic. The Master sees through the smoke screens of the know-it-alls.”  1 Corinthians 3:18-19, The Message

Unconvinced Christians are likely to be uncomfortable with being un-usual and living un-usually. Often intimidated or tempted by what’s usual, they sadly compromise, becoming compliant, conforming to the deeds and creeds of the world. The blessed man in Psalm 1, walked not in the counsel of the ungodly and prospered in whatever he did. Christians who courageously live by Godly convictions and according to Godly counsel, boldly establish lives that challenge and confound the brand of usual - building un-usual marriages, un-usual families, un-usual businesses and careers and so on and so forth.

“Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”  Romans 12:2 [MSG]

Jesus unashamedly challenged the cultural conventions and religious orthodoxy of the day. Proposing that we turn the other cheek instead of retaliating, exceed requirement and move beyond obligation by going the second mile and love our enemies and pray for those who go out of their way to hurt us! This is a remarkably generous and gracious way to live out your life! Take courage and differentiate yourself from the world by making a choice to be un-usual - not unusual but un-usual! 

Other scripture references: Isaiah 55:8-9, Matthew 5:38-48, 7:24-27, [MSG]

Strategically Gifted

You have been uniquely constructed and Strategically Gifted by God. He gives gifts, special God-empowered abilities for serving Him that are given to believers. 

You’re not born with them and you can’t earn them - they’re a gift. 

The world, (and some believers even) question if God really exists, why does He allow poverty, injustice and suffering in the world. He could ask us the same question! The truth is that God’s heart is to speak and act, and He has empowered the Church to do so. What is the Church? The Church is described as the 'Body of Christ'. The human body is used as an illustration to explain the workings of the Church, with Christ as the head, the Church His body and believers making up the members. The ‘head’ describes a position of authority, and Christ seeks to direct His body to do His will. By doing this, we become the active expression, and presence of Christ in our world. 

"The church is Christ's body, in which he speaks and acts, by which he fills everything with his presence." Ephesians 1:23

There’s a human body fact that says, it takes 72 different muscles to produce human speech. Likewise, God desires to use you and I, different people who have been strategically gifted to work together to make a difference in our world. The mobilised Church, and an activated believer points to the existence of God! 

"Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16   

There’s no greater use of your God-given gifts than to use them for the purpose, and in the service of the one who gifted them.

Unlikely People Achieve the Unexpected

History is full of unlikely stories - the bible itself is filled from cover to cover with unlikely stories of men and women who achieved the unexpected! 

Moses an unlikely orator and deliverer; Sarah & Abraham unlikely parents; David an unlikely King; Esther an unlikely Queen; Gideon an unlikely warrior; Peter an unlikely disciple; Jesus an unlikely Messiah and Saul a very unlikely church builder!     

Our natural tendency is to head-hunt those with impressive resumes, be-friend the popular and associate with the successful. However, “God does not see as man sees.” Feeling unqualified; incapable; inexperienced; insecure; inadequate; unworthy or fearful seemed to be the odd pre-requisites to be used mightily by God. These attributes don’t disqualify you from His service, but it could be said that it makes you a strong candidate for His power & purpose. When the unlikely happens or when the unlikely achieves the unexpected God’s fingerprints are all over it - and that’s exactly His intention! 

God works in unlikely ways, with unlikely people and through unlikely circumstances. It should be a source of great encouragement to us all that with God, the unlikely achieve the unexpected.