Dare to be Different!

A common sight around here in the north is a cowherd driving his herd of cows and sheep along the road. This can be quite a nuisance especially when you are in hurry to get somewhere. No matter how much you honk your horn, the herd just continue to tread lazily across the road.

Interestingly, it is not only cows that move in herds, we humans also have this herd mentality. The evidence of this is seen in the choices we make everyday. Anytime we hear, “everybody’s doing it” we see the herd mentality at work. While in most cases, conforming to the norm is harmless, in some cases, it can be seriously destructive. For example, the issue of drugs and sex among young people today is largely due to this herd mentality. Within the church, the herd mentality severely limits the progress and prosperity of God’s people.

Now God created each and everyone one of us in a unique way and bestowed on us unique gifts and purpose. However, a lot of people are living outside of their purpose because they are afraid to break away from the herd. Subtly, a lot of us have been “reconditioned” to abandon our unique gifts and purpose, and think like the rest of the herd. Many people make choices on fashion, marriage, finance, sprituality, etc based on what they perceive to be popular opinion. While being part of a herd can be beneficial in some ways, there is some danger in following after the herd, especially if the herd is not going your way. There was once a man whom God intended to be king but this man lost his crown because he chose the herd’s direction over God’s direction for his life.

Then Saul said to Samuel, “I have sinned. I violated the LORD’s command and your instructions. I was afraid of the men and so I gave in to them – 1 Sam 15:24

To become our best, we have to change and one of the results of change is that we become different from the rest of the herd. We pull away and pull ahead of the average person, and we experience more fulfilment.

Considering all these, what is the best way to go? Simply this – in any herd you belong to, don’t just follow other “cows”, patterning your decision based on their decision, follow the cowherd. Bringing this down to real life, do not follow the multitudes, follow after God. When you follow after God, your chances of success are higher because He knows you, formed you and will not lead you down the wrong path.

…..He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake – Psalm 23:3

In sticking with God, you have to be prepared to stand alone sometimes because most times, your path to the top is not the popular path, and to the rest of the herd, it might look completely foolish. That was the path Joseph followed when he was in Potiphar’s house. That was the path Abraham followed when he left his home and comfort to a place he does not know. That the same path David followed when he found Saul asleep in the cave but did not take his life. That path Isaac followed when everyone was running to Egypt but he stayed back in a land ravished by famine. All these men lived their lives to the full and enjoyed the fullness of God’s blessing but this came with a price, and the price was that they stood apart from the rest of the herd.

Think about your life right now. Is this the best you can be? Are you stuck where you are now because you are afraid to break away from the “accepted pattern?” Then you need to make the decision to step out from the crowd and be all God made you to be.

Dare to be Different! 😉