How to stand out in the crowd

Still on this “crowd” kick that started with reading Acts 14 and the story of Paul and Barnabas (see June 21 post).

1. Be different.

2. Act weird.

I want to tackle each of these ideas separately, because I’ve seen them used interchangeably to encourage folks to flow against the crowd.  As I’ve previously laid out, we can’t hook our future and forward movement to the idea that if we blend into the crowd the flow will take us where we want to go.

1. Be different.  The crowd ebbs and flows, but settles at average/mediocre/the center.  Be different and lead.  God has given you(us)(me) unique gifting(s) and talent(s), use those and make a difference.  Be bold.  Choose a Godly direction in life and live it.  Most people you meet in the “crowd” are just living for the weekend.  People who are different live for the next opportunity God brings to make a difference and behave differently – not weird, different.  Open doors, help people in need, stand up for the needy, make a difference in someone’s life, pray for people, anything that puts “me” second, etc. etc. etc.  While they can be construed as “weird” these are the normal actions of Christ-followers.

2. Act weird – frequently, this is far as Christians take “standing out in the crowd.”  Sadly, weirdness doesn’t generally have a direction associated with it.  Weirdness is just weird, after all.  I classify weirdness as reacting to “worldliness” and being demonstrative about it.  We don’t need weird – Godhatesfags.com, picketers, people who steal attention from God during corporate worship, anything that involves hate/anger/malice, demonstrative acts of religion in public places.  This does nothing to lead the crowd or change the minds of non-beleivers.  Avoid

Let’s be different and lead others in the joy of living counter to culture.  Put others first, love God and don’t apologize for it.