Standing Tall

How many of you were blessed by SEYC this past weekend? I'm so thankful to be ReGenerated! Last night I made a commitment to stand up for Jesus. I've been on the Mason-Dixon line. When I was little I asked my mom why Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego didn't just pretend to "tie their shoes" when the music played and they were supposed to bow down. I always struggled with being different in public school--Why don't you go to dances? Eww, what are you eating? Why can't you do stuff on Saturday? And then I dreaded graduating here and once again going out in the world--to be different. I know, Jesus was different, but what if I didn't want to be different like him? It didn't help me to know that Jesus was spit upon so I shouldn't mind being spit upon. It didn't make it any easier to be mocked and made fun of. Then Ivor Myers spoke about looking at the face of Jesus. Jesus beheld the face of God every single day and was bruised for it. Would I miss out on Heaven for something? Would I miss out for blending in with the world? Is that worth it? Am I willing to obey the Word, even if it causes me to die? I need to stop looking at my tiny wounds and look at His wounds to be healed! The glory of God is to be willing to be spit on, marred, and to take on the character of God. When that glory shines in our faces, we won't be ashamed to be different. It's not about self, it's about God. Wow. Then last night I realized that I was on the Mason-Dixon line. I was wearing both blue and gray in order to fit in with either side. Around my Christian friends it's easy to wear all blue. I was one who would probably pretend to tie my shoes, or wear a little gray to blend in with the world. I want to be like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to stand up for Christ even if everyone around me isn't.