Devotions
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It’s interesting in a world where we say we celebrate diversity and encourage everyone to be unique, how we still feel the need to fit in and follow the norms. The youth group is in the middle of a series called “Distinct”. We have looked at how distinct Jesus was, and last week we took a look at how God made us distinct. We started the discussion with a question about fitting in and one of our students passionately shared, with hurt in her voice that she feels the need to fit in in every way, she felt that if she didn’t look, act, talk or dress a certain way she stood out and of course in Middle school that’s not what you do because that puts a target on your back. She said in every way she just wants to blend in and not be noticed. We all do in a certain way, maybe as an adult it’s cars, vacations, salaries, jobs, parenting techniques, the way you dress, the way you style your hair etc. It’s interesting because we want to blend in, but at the same time, we want to be noticed. We want to know we matter, that if we died we made some sort of difference in this world. Another student who was shaking her head in agreement the whole time this student was talking had just been in my office with tears in her eyes because on one hand she didn’t feel noticed, but on the other she just wanted everyone to leave her alone.
Our lesson took a look at John the Baptist. You want to talk about someone who stood out, I feel like every part of this guy stood out. But John knew who he wasn't, he knew who he was and most importantly he knew where he fit into God’s plan. Wouldn’t it be nice to be that secure in yourself and in God that you weren’t afraid to stand out? Because here’s the reality; you are beautifully and wonderfully made, you’re deeply loved by your creator, you’re on a journey to learn more about who God made you to be and you weren’t designed to be just like everyone else and that is good and it’s ok. In what ways do you feel pressure to be just like everyone else? What area of your life do you feel like you’re trying to keep up with the Jones’? Don’t be afraid to stand out, let God show you who He created you to be, and be just that!! Jeremiah 1:5a “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart…” Blessings, Pastor Delinda
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March 2023
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