PennyDaisy

What does it mean to be set apart like Paul talks about in the New Testament?  I mean, REALLY set apart.  Shouldn’t it look different from the world?  Not just in what we say (or write), but in how we live our daily lives, how we dress, how we act when no one special is looking. 

I know very few people who actually seem to be trying to live for God alone (as in, not for anyone else), and even fewer who are actually living a set-apart life.  I think I could easily be the guiltiest of them all.  It is a rare moment when I’m thinking about what would please God—or, just as importantly, what would bring attention to Him rather than to me, as I decide what to wear to an event, or how to treat certain people (guys and gals), what to say to someone, what to email someone, what to do with my time, etc. 

Very little of my daily living reflects a deep love for my King.  Mostly it just reflects my desires, with some moral principle mixed in for good measure.  God becomes in my mind someone who is awesome, powerful, makes good conversation topics—at least I can sound like I’m saved.  But a daily God? 

That takes too much effort.  It takes being intimate with Him, and I think there’s too much garbage in my heart, too many idols in my life, too many other lovers in my mind

to give God that kind of space.  He just has His little corner. 

C’mon, He’s not even relegated to Sunday mornings or periodic quiet times.  He gets thoughts throughout the day.  But He doesn’t have ALL of me.  I don’t really want Him above anything—or anyone. 

But He’s God, right?  He understands.  But…am I missing out on something?

I want to be one of those rare, set-apart for God people.  But I’m afraid to really turn it all over to Him.  What if He wants me to give something up—not because it’s a bad thing in itself, but because it’s distracting me from Him?  Would I be willing to do that?  For Him?  Am I willing to give Him EVERYTHING???

All my life I’ve been different.  Whether it’s big differences or small.  So far I’ve been okay with that.  I’ve gained the notion that some people like me even more just because I’m different.  But what if no one noticed that I was different?  or worse, what if I were ridiculed by everyone on this earth, and only God was saying “well done”?  Is His approval enough for me?  Would I want to continue being different just for Him? 

“To be my disciple, to be a set-apart one, costs everything you have.  Don’t delude yourself into thinking it will only cost you a portion of your existence!  The very essence of a disciple is one that has completely emptied their inner sanctuary of all other lovers to make room for Me, their heavenly Prince.”    -Luke 14:33, paraphrase