“Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Because you have obeyed the command of Jonadab your father and kept all his precepts and done all that he commanded you, therefore thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Jonadab the son of Rechab shall never lack a man to stand before me.” — Jeremiah 35:18 –19 ESV
Do you find it hard to stand out among your friends and peers sometimes, especially as a Christian? I know I do. Sometimes I long to fit in and I don’t want to be different, but the truth is – I am different because I am a Child of God. And as a Child of God, I am called to be salt and light in a dark world and called to make a difference.
I am always challenged by those of other religions that are not ashamed to identify with their religion. They are proud to wear their hijabs, turbans, robes or wear a long beard etc, to show the world what they believe. As Christians we are called to do the same, to stand out, not necessarily in our look or dressing but in our behaviour and character.
In the time of Prophet Jeremiah, the nation of Judah had forsaken God to worship idols. Jeremiah brought God’s word to them urging them to change their ways or they will be punished by being taken into captivity by the Babylonians.
However, at the same time, a set of people caught God’s attention – the Rechabites. They were Kenites who were originally Canaanites but attached themselves to the Israelites. They were also shepherds who kept a long-standing tradition from their forefathers of living in tents, not drinking wine, not building houses or sowing seeds as farmers.
God directed Jeremiah to invite them to the house of the LORD and offer them wine. But they stood up to Jeremiah and refused to drink it, narrating the command they had be given by their ancestors as a people.
Thinking about the Rechabites, they might have stood out among the people in Judah, probably viewed as odd or weird. They had the boldness to stand their ground against the man of God, declaring who they were as a people. And guess what? God was impressed and blessed them. For these people to stand out to God, they most likely not only observed their tribal traditions but also the law of Moses. And these were the laws that most of Judah had forsaken.
As Christians, we are meant to stand out and be different. Yes, it is not going to be easy, but God is always ready to empower and strengthen us through His Holy Spirit. We are not on earth to please man but to please God.
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:10 (ESV)
So, as you go about your business this week, to work, school or even in the community, ponder on how others might see you. Is it as a follower of Christ or just like everyone else?
Stay blessed,
LaraLex
Hills and Valleys 