What's the difference?

...between us and everyone else?

In the first several chapters of Exodus, we start to notice a stark contrast between God's people and those who don't fear and love him. The hail storm is a classic example. Those who could give a rip about God and his ways don't take Moses seriously. Consequently, their workers die in the storm, along with their livestock. In the meantime, God's people continue to suffer due to Pharaoh's hard-heartedness.

For us in a world where most believers aren't enslaved or persecuted, the real rub comes when we are sacrificing and struggling and those who don't give God the time of day are succeeding wildly. Their selfishness goes seemingly unpunished in this life.

But those of us who follow God do indeed live a better life. We know forgiveness and love from God and each other.

When we were vacationing between Christmas and New Year, I read a book called Turn Toward the Wind. It talked about how we ought to have spiritual disciplines, so that we can remain connected to God: prayer, Bible study, worship, and confession AND a spiritual lifestyle, so that we can remain connected to each other and who we are as God's people: simplicity, service, fellowship, and witness.

At Confirmation tonight, we talked about how we are marked and claimed for this abundant life of freedom. It does set us apart from everyone else. God made you special and he loves you very much. Live out of that truth and the world will change. The kingdom will unfold on earth as it is in heaven.

We will then come to the end of our lives and know that not only were we different, but that we made a difference...for God.