Corona Devo 1416

I saw a redhead the other day, and he caught my eye.

I don't mean a redheaded person, although, did you know that less than 2% of us are?  

I meant that I saw a redheaded woodpecker out my window, and to be specific, it was a Pileated woodpecker.

Like redheaded people, redheaded woodpeckers can be rare to spot also, but both (the people and the birds) are strikingly beautiful to me.  

Unique.  

Stand-out. 

Born to shine rather than blend in. 

I like that about redheads (they have no choice but to be bold!) but I realize that their unique hair/feather color can be a burden at times.  My brother and dad are redheads and I can still hear the (very) mean sing-song teasing-chants that my brother had to endure on bus rides to school.  

And the biggest threat to redheaded woodpeckers are larger bird predators, most of whom utilize their keen eyesight to stalk prey, and what is easier to spot than a red plume atop the head of a Pileated woodpecker?  

Family or fowl--redheads can be easily targeted, but every (human) redhead that I know is well-adjusted, kind, and strong.

~~~

All followers of Jesus are not redheaded.  But sometimes it can feel as if there are less than 2% of us.  The criticism around us and against us is real.  And the reverse-tolerance against Christians is becoming an unfair norm. 

...but none of that is anything new to Jesus.

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (19) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. (20) Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’  If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. (21) They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me.  ~John 15:18-21

~~~

It's almost like God meant for us to shine His light, rather than blend in.

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) 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. (16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  ~Matthew 5:14-16

~~~

It almost seems like God made each of us be unique, but also like Him.

• So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.  ~Genesis 1:27

• For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.  (14) I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.  ~Psalm 139:13-14

It's as if we are supposed to stand-out.

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light...  ~I Peter 2:9

~~~

Followers of Jesus Christ have no choice but to be bold.  And if we are flying-under-the-radar and seeking to "blend in" with society's trends and acceptances, then we had better check our spiritual pulse and take our faith-temperature.  If there is no boldness in our witness, then we most likely don't have much of a witness for Christ.

The unique call of championing Christ with our lives and seeking to share Him and His hope with others will bring criticism, but we just can't give up.    

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  ~Galatians 6:9

~~~

Being a Child of God is a privilege and a big responsibility, but the calling that God has on us is unique and (strikingly) beautiful.

I have called you by name, you are mine.   ~Isaiah 43:1

~~~

We go-at this world, but we do not go-at-it alone.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.  I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.  ~Isaiah 41:10

~~~

And as God's children, we should look different than the world, but we should look more and more like Christ every day.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. (4) If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. (5) But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. (6) Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.  ~I John 2:3-6

~~~

Whether we have red hair or not, we are in a special percentage today: God's.

Unique?  Yes.

Stand-out.  Yes. 

Born to shine (for Him) rather than blend in.  Yes.

Each of us are strikingly beautiful in Christ because we are mirroring Him.

Blessings,

sarah

https://sarahsundy04.blogspot.com