The desire to standout or be different is a sign of immaturity.

No one wants to be average. We all want to stand out from the crowd. We hate it when we are told, “Oh, you are like everyone else.” And the whole industry is built upon this principle that “he who stands out from the crowd is more desirable.”

This is true when we are searching for jobs. This is true when it comes to entertainment. It’s also true when it comes to arts and science. The whole world seeks for people who will stand out from the crowd and if one just happens to stand out, he feels immense pride.

We even encourage our children this way: We never tell our children, “You are just average,” but we tell them, “You are special!”

But this desire to stand out or be different from others is stemming from pride. That old sin that made Satan fall and also Adam and Eve fall. It is deadly! Even many mission agencies and churches have this as their motive to build their organization. How many times have you heard, “Our church isn’t like your grandpa’s church!,” – implying that they are hip and different. But give it time and they WILL also fall behind times as long as they focus on being hip and different…

“For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” 1 Cor. 4:7

Being different or standing out ought NOT be our focus either as a community or as an individual. It ought not bother us when we are forgotten, seen as average, or even told that we are no different. The simple fact is that they are true!

We are sinners just like everyone else.

We are helpless to do anything about our sins just like everyone else.

We are absolutely dependent upon Christ alone for our salvation just like everyone else.

We are still going to be imperfect just like everyone else.

See, you are just like everyone else. You are not special.

But Jesus is.

PH