Beyond Embarrassment

story & photo by: lisa petrarca

Driving home from Newport Beach, California, today in a sea of Bentley's, Mercedes Benz, BMW's, Lamborghini's, and Porsche's...a loud, grumbling, rumbling, clanking noise came up along side me. As I turned to see what was causing such a commotion, a rusty spotted, beat up station wagon drove quickly by. It was quite an eye sore and definitely drew attention.

I noticed all the expensive car owners were staring at it in disgust. But the owner didn't seem to notice or mind. It was serving it's purpose, getting him from point A to point B.

I sat waiting for the light to change, thinking about how often we try to blend into our environment and the people around us. We're embarrassed or afraid to stand out or be different. As followers of Christ, that's exactly how we are supposed to be...a light to others, a change from a world filled with stress, hurt and anger.

We can overcome the fear and stand up for what we believe in by showing the unconditional love of Christ through our actions. Reaching out, stepping outside our comfort zone and helping others in need, through prayer, words of encouragement and loving kindness.

We are different because we have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gift helps us, gives us wisdom, peace and discernment in our time of need. Then we can be used to help others going through similar circumstances.

When you find yourself in a human nature situation...stop, pray and ask the Lord to fill you with HIS peaceful, confident, trustworthy spirit of hope and wisdom. Ask the Lord to use you to be a light in the lives of others. Don't be afraid to stand up and make a difference. We are here to do the Lord's will for our lives (point A) and one day return home to our Heavenly Father to spend time and all eternity in His loving embrace (point B).

Shine His light within you on those around you.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that if yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent It. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord's renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."
Isaiah 55:8-13