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Why Settle For Normal?
Matthew 5:14-16 '[Jesus said]: "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."'
 None of the faith heroes of the Bible were politically correct (p.c.) for their times. All of them challenged the perceived wisdom. None of them was considered very 'normal', either. Noah didn't play it by the book when he declared a flood - to a world that hadn't seen rain. Abraham wasn't p.c. when he packed up and left his father's house, taking his wealth with him. Joseph certainly wasn't popular when he dared to dream God's dream. Nor was Moses when he stared down a Pharaoh, casting diplomacy aside. Nor was Joshua when he took on Jericho's walls with nothing more than a long hike and a shout! The fact is you can't be politically correct and prophetically correct at the same time. You can't speak for God's kingdom if you're overly concerned with pleasing the kingdom of this world. Political correctness kills those two great allies of faith, creativity and boldness. Albert Szent Gyorgyi, the Nobel Prize-winning physician said: 'Discovery consists of looking at the same things as everyone else and thinking something different.' The truth of Jesus' gospel, when we preach it and model it, cuts through all the pretensions of p.c. mindsets. It shows people a whole new and liberating way of living and thinking. Why settle for normal?
Prayer: 'Lord, I don't want to be different for the sake of it. But I know that if I follow you completely, I can never be totally "normal" in the eyes of this world. So, help me to rise above political correctness and to speak and model truth, in love, so that people see your righteousness in me.'
© 2003-2004 Mal Fletcher
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Mal spoke at Hillsong Church, Paris team meeting yesterday & I was so challenged to look beyond my limitations & tap into the unlimited power of God to make a difference in Paris. Thanks Mal! for being such a great vessel for the body of Christ.
Yoland, France
Hi Mal, Re: megachurch church vs a more organic model: I know God works regardless of how we think he should but it seems that the organic way is more appealing to the average person than the marketing of Jesus...
Narelle, Australia
You are right that we often shrink back from fully expressing our convictions because it puts us "out there". We must realise that the world looks at us at the same time as they hear us. We must learn the lessons & press on.
Eme, United Kingdom
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