DARE TO BE DIFFERENT
By Bishop Mike Okonkwo
Friday 31st January 2025
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV)
Change in life happens one step at a time. Therefore, don’t expect change to be instant and automatic. Everybody has to commit to doing things differently. Personal commitment is important to ensure that change takes place, in any area of life. Do not just hear the truth and forget about it. As a Christian, changing from bad to good is something that is not negotiable and also irrevocable. It is not about behavioural modification, but true transformation. For me, I am determined to live a Christ-like life till my last breath. I will dare to be different!
You also have a choice to make: you must decide to be outstanding. Decide that you are not going to follow the wind or the crowd because those who stand out do exactly that: they stand out from the crowd. You can be the odd man! The only man and the last man standing. That does not make you a failure. Do not live by people’s perspectives and opinions. Be personally convinced of what you believe in. Be convinced by it and stand by it. In the end, you will never lose.
Daniel and his friends, Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego, also had the decision to make; despite originally being slaves, they dared to be different and ended up becoming leaders in a foreign land.
Beloved, there is a rich deposit of God in your life that will make you a global phenomenon, but it starts with you realizing this and walking in the uniqueness of your gifting. You don’t become all that God has created you to be, by being someone else or choosing to live by the dictates of people outside of the One who made you. His word is all you need to configure your mind and thoughts in line with who He has called you. This is not what you do as a one-off, but a daily affair.
As you dare to be different, I declare that your steps are rightly ordered into your destiny. You will not be a byword. You will not be a disappointment or a reproach. You will not fail. The hand of God upon you will announce you to your world. The blessings of dominion and possession rest upon your life. Your story will never end in shame and your greatness will not be aborted.
Further Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 4:22-24; Matthew 10:16-23
Daily Bible Reading: Morning- Exodus 25-26 / Evening- Matthew 20:17-34