While we are in Oklahoma, we will meet together as a church group each evening. The theme for the week is: Be Different and it based on Luke 6:27-28: "But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you."
Jesus didn't try to fit in. He disagreed with leaders who said "law only" instead of "love". He sometimes acted like a servant. He sometimes hung out with the wrong people. He sometimes said stuff that went against their law. And he even took a punishment he didn't deserve - death. (Of course, he didn't stay dead.)
None of that was normal. Jesus was different.
Sometimes we try really hard to fit in. We wear certain clothes. We say certain things. We even do stuff just because everyone else is doing it. All we really want is to feel accepted and maybe even loved.
Jesus challenges his followers to be different by believing bigger, serving the undeserving, forgiving enemies, and loving extravagantly. Jesus loves people no matter what. Jesus welcomes outcasts. Jesus always forgives.
Jesus invites us to Be Different. That's what we will be doing during our week in Oklahoma. Each evening in our church group time we will look at a different passage of Scripture. We will share those on this blog. So, stay tuned! In the meantime, follow where Jesus leads. Be Different!
