Difference Maker vs Comfort Zone

Hey champions, you know, as ambassadors, me and my wife Shelly have an awesome privilege of meeting pastors and visiting churches and they’re different – different in worship styles and preaching styles. There can be vast differences in churches, right?

Oh, mainly because of what was passed down to them or maybe what’s not passed down to them, right? Today I want to talk to you about difference. You see Caleb, he had a different spirit and that’s what got him into the promised land.

As pastors and shepherds, you’re different. You lead God’s sheep. So you’re different.

Golfers

I don’t golf. Golfers are different.  And I don’t understand why they’d want to hit a ball and chase it around the field for four hours a day only to be frustrated. Right? But if I’m unwilling to hang around golfers, I’m unlikely to learn any of the benefits of golfing.  Right?

Consider this. Proverbs 27:5 says, “An open rebuke is better than hidden love.” Why? because least you could benefit from an open rebuke, you’ve heard it. But hidden love is unheard and it’s of no value. And if I’m unwilling to associate with those that come from a different church camp, just like hidden love, I may miss out on a word of wisdom God has for me.

Jesus Was Different

And the triumphal entry, Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Why? Because the Jews as a whole wouldn’t accept his message because he was different. He had a different message. And so they missed out on the blessings and the benefits that a relationship with our Lord would offer.

All because of difference.

Romans 4:1 says, “Except those whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters or difference.” You see, today some of my best relationships are with pastors who are different. They come from a different Christian camp. But yet, I’ve gleaned wisdom, insight, and perspective that I maybe would have never gleaned if I had not been willing to associate with them even though they were different.

Their Differences

And if you want to be uncommon in life, you’ll be willing to associate with those who are different, too. That’s why our champions tables are such an awesome place to be. People benefiting not so much because of their similarities as their difference. You see, similarities only create comfort.

The Savannah River, it borders South Carolina and Georgia. And when you cross over, you’re in a whole new state. And when we’re willing to cross over the bridge called difference, we can be in a whole new state of understanding, wisdom, and perspective that we would have never been if we had not been willing to cross the bridge of difference.

Are you Growing?

And so this week, let’s talk about that at our tables. What’s one area of your life that you feel like you’ve grown in in your champions table all because of difference, difference opinions?

We love you and are praying for you. God bless.