John Dressed Funny and Ate Weird Stuff
People thought John the Baptist dressed funny and ate weird stuff, but it didn’t stop him from proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matt. 3:2). Others’ judgment of you should not stop you from doing what God has called you to do.
Peter was brash, loud, obnoxious, and uneducated, interested in saving his own skin (Luke 22:57). However, following the day of Pentecost and bursting with Holy Ghost boldness, he had no problem addressing the crowd (Acts 2:14).
Paul had a well-known thorn in the flesh, possibly a very noticeable eye disease or other physical infirmity or deformity, but it didn’t deter him from preaching, traveling, and establishing new churches where none existed.
“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity” (1 Tim. 4:12). That’s what Paul told Timothy. Youth should not be a barrier to accomplishing God’s will.
Caleb was an old man when he fought and took that mountain! (Joshua 14:12). Age was not an obstacle!
Women have always occupied prominent roles in God’s kingdom (Gal. 3:28-29). Ever heard of Sheerah, Shallum’s daughters, Jael, Deborah, Acsah, Joanna, Susanna, Phillip’s four daughters, Priscilla, Phoebe, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Persis, and Nympha? These women may be less known Biblical figures, but they were builders, warriors, judges, landowners, prophetesses, house pastors, deaconesses, workers in the church, and those who traveled with and cared for the needs of Jesus and His disciples.
Joni Eareckson Tada, a paraplegic for fifty-three years following a diving accident in 1967 at the age of 17, is a well-known Christian author, radio host, and founder of Joni and Friends, an organization accelerating Christian ministry in the disability community. Don’t tell her she can’t do something for God!
Atheist-turned-Christian Lee Strobel is the former award-winning legal editor of The Chicago Tribune and best-selling author of more than twenty books.
Jesus was ridiculed, hated and crucified, yet he could say, “I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:4). I want to be able to say that!
Are we going to let little things like age, gender, appearance, status, fashion, a handicap, a background of unbelief and sin, or someone’s opinion prevent us from being and doing all God created us to be and do? Do we really care more about what other people think than what God thinks about us?
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Eph. 2:10). Therefore, we need to get busy and stop wasting time. “As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). So, why are you waiting to do the Father’s business? (Luke 2:49).
Don’t let others’ judgment of you, real or imagined, stop you from what God has called you to do. Discover and develop your talents and spiritual gifts. What? Do you think your God-given abilities and interests are only for this life? Why did God make you so unique and special? Because He wants to relish in His creation of you for all eternity! I strongly believe the things you enjoy on earth will be the same things you will love in heaven, only glorified and holy.
He came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). That’s the reason He came to earth. And that’s the reason you’re here too. To bring God glory with your life, endeavoring to help others know the Savior of the world. Even in the middle of a national and world crisis, we can do today what God has called us to do. Go in His strength.
It’s okay to dress funny and eat weird stuff as long as you obey the Lord with your life. “However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).