It's easy to fit in and do what everybody else is doing, to go where everybody else goes, to think like everyone else thinks. Our neighbors complain, so we complain. Our coworkers show up late, so we show up late. Our relatives have addictions, so we have addictions. It's common. It's normal. But God did not create you to be common. He didn't breathe His life into you so you can do what everybody else does. You were created to be uncommon, to live by a higher standard, to do what others are not willing to do, to believe for things that others think are too big.
Everybody may complain at work, but that's not you. You're uncommon. Instead of joining in, you find something to be grateful for. You're uncommon. People around you think they've reached their limits and are just going through the motions of life. You're passionate about your future and know that the path of the righteous gets brighter and brighter. You're uncommon. Everyone around you may be compromising, running around on their spouses and being dishonest in business. You're a person of integrity. You do the right thing when no one is looking, and you keep your word even when it costs you something. Other people don't understand you, but you live by a higher standard. You're uncommon.
Complainers and compromisers are a dime a dozen. They're common. But God is looking for uncommon people. People who have uncommon faith, who believe for things that seem impossible. People who have uncommon commitment, who do the right thing when it's hard. People who have an uncommon attitude that's positive when everyone else is negative, discouraged, moody and critical. God rewards the uncommon with uncommon favor, uncommon strength, uncommon friendships and uncommon increase.
The apostle Paul says, "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold" (Romans 12:2). There's a constant pressure trying to squeeze you into being common, into doing what everyone else is doing. Don't let that thinking rub off on you. If they want to be common, that's their choice. But that's not who you are. You are uncommon. Stand out in the crowd. Do the right thing when the boss is not around. Do more than required. Set a new standard. People around you may be giving in to temptation, doing things you know are not the best. That's the enemy trying to deceive you into being common. He knows that if you're like everyone else, it will keep you from becoming all you were created to be. Don't fall into that trap. Be uncommon. Live by a higher standard.