Trying To Fit In

Numbers 14:24 - But my servant Caleb, because he has had a different spirit and has followed Me fully, I will bring into the land which he entered, and his descendants shall take possession of it.

How much of our lives do we spend trying to fit in?  Just going along to get along, right?  A majority of our teenage years (if not all of them) are dedicated to this purpose.  Come to think of it, so are many of our adult years as well.  But what's the purpose?  To make ourselves pleasing to the people of the world?

The Bible is full of stories of those who were filled with a different purpose.  A different sort of spirit.  Caleb and Joshua were two special spirits.  Because of their faith in God, He allowed them to enter into the Promised Land when all the others of their generation fell short.

Paul reminded Timothy of the sort of spirit we were called to have as followers of Jesus Christ.  He said, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:7).  It's the same Spirit that leads us, and allows us to be called children of God (Romans 8:14).  God never called us to try to blend into the scenery.  We have always been called to be bold in our faith, and in our obedience to Him.

That Spirit of power that we have been given, is the same Spirit that Peter used to heal the crippled beggar in front of the Temple (Acts 3:1-6).

The Spirit of love that we have been given is the same one that Jesus spoke of in the Gospel of John when He said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13).

The Spirit of self-discipline that we have been given, is the same one that Paul talked about in his first letter to Timothy.  He said, "But have nothing to do with worldly fables fir only for old women.  On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7).

Because of God's power, love, and discipline, we are all children of the Most High.  We all have an eternal calling for God's Kingdom.  Trying to fit in this world can sometimes feel like putting a round peg in a square hole.  It just doesn't quite fit.  But that's okay.  God didn't call us to fit in with this world.  He told us to be salt and light to it.  As Paul said so well, "Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.  If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant" (Galatians 1:10).

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the power of Your Spirit that You have given us through Your Son, Jesus Christ.  I pray that we all realize and recommit our lives to being Christ's servant.  I pray we all will accept His free gift of salvation and redemption, and strive for the Heavenly prize that we are all being called for by You through Christ Jesus.  I pray that we won't keep trying to fit in and win the approval of men, but of You.  I pray that we will all be salt and light to a fallen world until we are home with You in Your eternal Kingdom.  In the powerful name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen!



God Bless!!!