Being Different

We all want to be accepted, and we hate being thought of as not normal. But being different can make a real difference in the world!

As I wake up and face another day, I notice that everything around me is changing, including the way people deal with life.

For instance, I see reports that abortion rates, drug use, suicides and teenage pregnancy rates are all increasing. The values that were once taught in society are now deteriorating. All these are evidence that the world is growing old in age—but not growing up in character.

In the midst of all this, we are expected to be different—and to make a difference.

Being different in the Bible

In the book of Genesis, God recreated the world in six days and rested on the seventh day—the Sabbath day. He set this day apart to be holy and special. God wanted us to see how He distinguished the Sabbath day from all the other days.

Then in the book of Exodus chapters 7 to 12, the 10 plagues of Egypt were sent by God in order to convince Pharaoh to set the Israelites free from the bondage and oppression they endured in Egypt. During most of these plagues, it was emphasized that God made a difference between the Egyptians and Israel, His chosen people (Exodus 8:23; 11:7).

Also, when He led them to the Promised Land, God wanted the people of Israel not to be like the nations around them, but to be an example to them. He wanted them to be His faithful witnesses so that every nation would know that He is God (Isaiah 43:12).

God expects us to be different as well—different in a godly way.

Being different today

Most people view being different as something weird or ridiculous. Being in the Church of God requires being different. I must admit that I have had many experiences with this. Yet I continue to hold on to my faith, because I believe that it is and always will be the best thing to do.

One experience was when I was in fourth grade. The Feast of Tabernacles was fast approaching, and I had to miss school for this. My mom asked my teacher to have me excused for one week and explained that I would be responsible in coping with whatever I had missed.

My teacher warned her that I wouldn’t be able to maintain my rank in class and that my grades would surely drop. What hurt most was when she told us, “Your religion cannot save you!”

As a kid, I was scared of the consequences. Yet we still decided to attend the Feast. My teacher began treating me differently from that time on. My grades did drop, but I was not afraid anymore.

Recently I was talking with friends outside the Church. They were telling me that my refusal to eat pork was perhaps one of the strangest things in my life. I looked at them in dismay and started to explain. Supporting my belief with scriptures seemed to be useless. They wouldn’t listen.

Despite all of these challenges, I’ve always seen how God is working in my life.

Being different is a challenge

Yes, people will make fun of us and even try to bring us down when we are different. Yet what really counts is how we please God. We just have to stay strong and hold on to Him. He always has something bigger prepared for us ahead—in His time.

In this world, we can undoubtedly find joy in things. However, as Christians, let us be set apart from this world and aim for God’s Kingdom, which holds eternal happiness. As Romans 12:2 declares, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Being different is a challenge. We have to accept this challenge and fight for our faith—because it is in being different that we can make a real, lasting difference in this world.

For more about how to be different and make a difference, see the article “Saying No.”

Kathlyn Mae Tiu is studying chemical engineering and attends the Bacolod, Philippines, congregation of the Church of God, a Worldwide Association.