** This thread discusses the content article: Leave 'em Starstruck **

Leave ‘em Starstruck


Philippians 2:14-16a “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…”


Wow, that’s some intense truth right there. I was talking to my mom (iiiiiincredible lady) about this piece of scripture the other day and she made an awesome comment about us shining like stars. She said, “The times when stars shine the brightest is when it’s darkest around them.” And I got to thinking about that. The reality is, there is no better stage than today’s dark world for Jesus to shine brighter than ever through our lives. It’s time for us to step up and STAND OUT!


That’s exactly what Paul was telling the people at Philippi! He was telling them to start living differently! Start living radically! People will notice when you stand out for Christ! But you gotta know that the people at Philippi were like “Um Paul, don’t know if you realize this buddy, but you’re in prison dude. That’s where standing out got you. Are you sure you really want us to stand out?” And Paul’s just like “YES!” If you aren’t being persecuted for what you believe, if Satan isn’t persistently coming after you, if it’s not hard a lot of times to do the right thing, or if nobody is ever questioning you for what you’re doing, than you’re probably settling down, NOT Standing Out. In a way, trials are the measurements of faithfulness. Meaning, when things are rough, you must be doing something right, cause Satan is coming after you with all he’s got cause he thinks you’re a threat. But we serve a God that is so infinitely bigger than anything Satan can throw our way!


But what is standing out really? Standing out means making a change and then actually living life differently. That could mean adding something to your life like bringing the Joy that Jesus gives into every moment. Or maybe it’s adding patience to every encounter you have with someone. Or maybe it’s deciding to cut something out of your life such as complaining as the beginning of this passage in Philippians suggests. Imagine what an impact that would have! It seems just so natural for us to complain right? And it’s contagious! But what if we could be joyful always, exhibit patience, and stop complaining?? Now THAT would stand out!!


So I challenge you today, I challenge us today. What are we going to do to stand out? Are we simply going to blend in to the black background of this world? Or will we decide to give ourselves wholeheartedly to Christ and accept His invitation to shine like stars in the universe?


Take some time right now to talk to God and ask Him where He is calling you to stand out. Then write it down and put it where you will see it. Seriously, do it. And every time you see it, ask God to instill more of His Spirit in you so that you can stand out in that way TODAY. Cause the beautiful thing about this is we can’t do it on our own and it’s not for our glory. It’s all by HIS power and for HIS name. We don’t have to convert the multitudes, perform miracles, or even be good speakers. We don’t even have to say a word. We just take a step out from the huge line of people called mankind, slowly turn around, look them all in the eye, and point up.


Let’s leave ‘em Starstruck.