Normal… But Not Like Everyone Else

// September 1st, 2009 // Faith, Life

1 Samuel 8:19-20
19 But the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel. And they said, “No! But there shall be a king over us, 20 that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.”

I’ll admit it. I read this verse in Samuel and go what are you thinking?!? You want to be like every other nation? You are the chosen people! Act like it! You want less than what God has promised you? You don’t want to be great? You would rather just be like everyone else? You have the one true living God and he isn’t enough for you? He is your king. He is your judge. He goes out before you and fights your battles. But you want an earthly king, a king that is flesh and blood, a king that will fail you?

On paper, Israel’s actions sound ridiculous but stop and reflect for a second, I know I see the same thing all too often in my life.

How often am I willing to accept what the world has to offer rather than holding out for what God has promised me?

If I’m honest with myself, the answer is daily.

I’m normal. But I don’t want to be like everyone else. I’m not better than the next person but I know I’m better off than I was when I judged myself by the world’s standards and not by God’s.  I have something better than what the world values. I don’t deserve it but I don’t want to trade. I do want to share and there is more than enough to go around.

If you missed the original Normal… post, check it out here.

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11 Responses to “Normal… But Not Like Everyone Else”

  1. @katdish says:
    September 2, 2009 at 3:15 pm

    Huh…

    Jeff (my pastor) was talking about the Sadducees (sp?) last night. About how they were supposed to be God's chosen people, and yet the didn't believe in eternal life and therefore they did not believe in the Ressurection. That's why they were "Sad, you see?" Anyway, yes. We really can do so much more than what the world or what we ourselves think we can if we allow God to work through us for His glory.

    Reply
  2. Candy says:
    September 2, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    "I know I’m better off than I was when I judged myself by the world’s standards and not by God’s" – love this! The world thus far has offered me nothing I couldn't live without. God, however – He's given me so much more. Great post!

    Reply
  3. Annette Taylor says:
    September 2, 2009 at 6:56 pm

    This is definitely inspiring for when I'm having '"why can't my life just be 'normal'" moments. The truth is I don't want to be normal. I want more than that.

    Reply
  4. Peter_P says:
    September 2, 2009 at 8:30 pm

    You installed Intense Debate? ID HATES me!

    This might be the last time I'm ever able to comment here :-(

    "How often am I willing to accept what the world has to offer rather than holding out for what God has promised me?"

    Ow. Daily!

    Reply
  5. FaithBarista Bonnie says:
    September 4, 2009 at 5:06 pm

    "I’m normal. But I don’t want to be like everyone else."

    Me, too. I guess that makes us similar ;) .. God loves for us to be unique, but my challenge is to break free of people's expectations of me.

    Reply

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