Why is it easier to blend in than stand out? Why does it feel more comfortable to stay in the background rather than speaking up? Why is it hard to be different? For me the answer is simple..I want people to like me and approve of me. Lately God has been nailing me on that one..almost daily I find myself having to step out in a way that could end up in rejection. I’m not in love with the process. Yet I think I understand why it needs to continue.
He has His ways of teaching us..of stretching us..of shaping us. If we follow Him closely He will take us out of our comfort zone..especially when it comes to other people. He will challenge us to look for approval in His eyes not in the eyes of those around us. We are being called to a place where we speak truth no matter what.
My name actually means ” keeper of the truth”. I never liked my name when I was younger..it was unique and there were very few girls named Alicia ..today there are many. I realize now that God was preparing me to be able to stand alone. He was teaching me to be different and to live up to my name. I have fought Him over and over again..why did you make me the way I am Lord? Why am I a Jewish believer in the Gentile church? Why am I a woman who graduated from Seminary as a grandmother? Why am I passionate to tell people there is life in you? .. more life than they ever dreamed of?
He doesn’t explain it all to me. He does give me the ability to persevere and to trust Him for what I don’t understand. He will do the same for you. You are unique..different from those around you.. your life holds challenges that no one but God knows or understands. He made us the way we are. He created us for His purposes. We are chosen by Him..loved by Him. He will stand by us throughout our lives..pouring out hope into our hearts.. encouraging us and empowering us. He is with us!
“Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you. ”
Alicia's Roses 
Hi Alicia,
What a wonderful post this is! I can’t even begin to explain how encouraging and beautiful it is. You express the innermost parts of all of us who follow Him and are called to care about what He, and He alone thinks, at the expense of what is comfortable to us. I love the fact that you graduated from seminary as a grandmother, that you are a Jewish believer in a Gentile church environment and are passionate about being used to help draw people into a deeper relationship with Him. Sometimes it’s the very things we look at and go “why?” that become the very things that He uses to draw others to Him, and He uses to draw us closer to Himself.
Thank you for your writing.
Blessings, Sarah
Sarah..thank you so much for the encouragement. I hesitated when I wrote it because it is more intimate than usual..revealing some of my personal struggles a little more openly than I have in the past. My daughter encouraged me to be more personal in my posts and I think she is right. There are times when nothing else makes sense.
I appreciate your feedback..you are such a gifted writer and I look forward to getting your latest posts in my inbox.
xox Alicia