9-27-20 Tell Them to Get Some Sunglasses

Quote: “Some people are going to reject you simply because you shine too bright for them.  That’s okay.  Keep shining.” – Mandy Hale

The last few years, I’ve been hearing a particular phrase come up in conversation over and over.  And it doesn’t matter where I’m at – in church, a Bible study, the grocery store, the coffee shop, reading on a Facebook post, everywhere.  So much so that I’ve started asking God to bring more people in my life that feel this way.  This is the phrase: “I used to feel like I didn’t belong anywhere.  Now I feel I’m part of something bigger.”

What they’re really saying is they feel like they have a purpose.

If you feel you have a purpose on this planet, that is bigger than just earning a paycheck or keeping laundry folded or even raising good children, you realize that life on this Earth is not about what we “do”.  It’s about how we leave society better off than when we came into it.  That we made a difference in people’s lives.  That we inspired them.  That we didn’t just breathe the air but helped others breathe easier.

And when you start living out that vision or purpose, mighty things begin to happen.  You set healthy boundaries with people.  You say “no” to things you should and say “yes” to the things you should.  You show up to new things because you know it’s really not about what you can get from a group of people – it’s what you can give to the world that truly matters.  You help when it’s not convenient.  You use your time, talent, and treasures to make the world just a little bit better than it was yesterday.

Do you know what else happens when you see the bigger picture?  The things that seem like mountains become mole hills.  You don’t sweat the small stuff.  You travel through life freely because you can constantly see the end in sight – and it is going to be SO breathtakingly awesome!

Those of us that our Christians believe this life is just a “passing through” phase for us.  We know what awaits us in Heaven.  And we want to be there so badly!  So we have this constant battle of not wanting to push our faith on others yet being so excited that we’re on the winning team that we just can’t keep quiet about it!  And that’s where the need for sunglasses part comes in…

There is a downside that comes with this kind of “bigger picture” living.  CAUTION!  You will be judged and criticized and looked down upon.  Your brightness will be offensive and over-the-top and way too much for some.  You may become the person to avoid.

But you know who else they hated and avoided and talked bad about?  Jesus.  They could not find one sin he had ever committed.  Not one.  And they killed him for the life he lived.  The Bible says in Hebrews 4:15: “For we don’t have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” He was perfect.  I would rather try to follow in his footsteps than be liked by the masses.

Stand your ground.  Know your purpose.  Keep shining bright.  And tell those haters to get some sunglasses.