Let us be holy people

"For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." 2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

Upon describing his experience at the Bad Dawg 2020 Ultra I was also blessed to participate in over the weekend, my friend Keaton, who had sacrificed his time and comfort to pace our mutual friend, Rachel Baker, through many hours of brutal weather, darkness, and a forced time of quarantine in the gym (due to a tornado) on her quest to complete 100 miles said, "Long weekend, tired weekend, wouldn't have traded it for sleep and normal people things." Normal people things? Boy did that "normal" part make me laugh! Ultrarunners are atypical, unusual, and nonconforming. We will never be considered "normal" and that's just the way we like it.

And you know, if normal can be defined as usual, regular, common or typical, a Christian should strive to be anything but normal. Especially when we consider that what's considered "normal" is always changing. Think about it... what's considered normal today will soon be replaced by what's considered normal tomorrow. And because people determine what's normal, every time societal values change their opinion of what's normal will change. But holiness entails imitating God rather than comparing ourselves to other people. As Paul explained: "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise"

So in a world full of "normal" people, let us be holy people; people that are seen as atypical, unusual, nonconforming, set apart and different. So different that others would take notice and come to seek the One we live to please. 

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us a standard to live by that never changes. Help us to avoid measuring ourselves against others that we might live to imitate You instead. Help us to be so completely set apart that the lost might be drawn to us out of curiosity and come to know You by our testimony. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

Set Apart - Worship Central