Clear Distinction

This word means that there is a difference. It carries with it the word comparison which isn’t always a good thing. There comparisons/distinctions that can be healthy. For example, there is a distinction between someone who exercises and eats healthy versus the person who eats fast food and never exercises. There is a definite distinction in people who are educated and teachable versus people who “know it all” and are stuck with their middle school education.

Moses was being directed by God to visit Pharaoh and warn him about the plagues that were coming. God first turned the Nile river to blood and all the water in Egypt became blood. That had to be disgusting, but Pharaoh was stubborn and wouldn’t let the people of Israel go. The next plague was an infestation of frogs. These frogs were everywhere in the land and in their homes – even their beds! Pharaoh was still stubborn. The third plague was gnats, the very dust of the ground became gnats. This had to be obnoxious and disgusting at the same time. Pharaoh still refused. Moses comes to him with the fifth plague and this will be different. Check this out….

²⁰ Then the Lord told Moses, “Get up early in the morning and stand in Pharaoh’s way as he goes down to the river. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. ²¹ If you refuse, then I will send swarms of flies on you, your officials, your people, and all the houses. The Egyptian homes will be filled with flies, and the ground will be covered with them. ²² But this time I will spare the region of Goshen, where my people live. No flies will be found there. Then you will know that I am the Lord and that I am present even in the heart of your land. ²³ I will make a clear distinctionbetween my people and your people. This miraculous sign will happen tomorrow.’” (Exodus 8:20-23 NLT)

The two words: “clear distinction” jumped out at me as I read this passage. I took it a bit personally. I believe there should be a clear distinction between a Christ-follower and others. I believe the Lord calls me to be distinct and different.  I should love more deeply. I should be more patient. I should display a gentle and humble heart in every area of my life. When people look at me from a distance or up close, they should see a clear distinction in how I live, love and serve.

I’m not trying to be distinctly different just for the sake of being different. I am committed to becoming more like Jesus Who was the Supreme Example of being distinctly different. He lived, loved and spoke differently. He was counter to the culture of His day, and He is still counter to the culture today. I believe He introduced principles and character qualities that are still counter-cultural today.  I want my life to be distinctly different because the Lord has my heart and He has changed the lens through which I see my life and this world I live in.

Pressing On!

Dwayne