Living Set Apart

“But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy. It is written in the Scriptures: “You must be holy, because I am holy.”  1 Peter 1:15-16

On Mother’s Day, I visited the cemetery, and I planted flowers on my mom’s and grandma’s grave.  I know they are in Heaven with Jesus but out of respect and love, I honored them that day.  I talked with them and thanked them for sharing Jesus with me and being the two main influences in my life and faith.  I prayed and thanked God for their lives and the gift they were to me.  I stood in this country cemetery and looked up at the blue sky and clouds.  I was surrounded by trees and plowed fields.  I felt the warmth of God’s love and presence and the love in my heart for my mom and grandma that never dies.   I set myself apart from the dailyness of life and experienced a holy moment.

We visited the Basilica and Shrine of Our Lady of Consolation and were in awe of its beauty and splendor.  The magnificence of the building just made me stand in quiet silence and take in each aspect of the Church and its significance.  I felt the glory of God all around me.  It was a holy moment.

I have watched nature unfold all around our home as the trees are in full leaves and the birds are singing their songs and eating from the birdfeeder.  The deer, birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, and a few other wild animals are enjoying the woods all around us.  It is amazing to look out the window and just watch nature develop and animals enjoy daily life.  It is a holy moment.

Then a dear friend, Dwight, who has been like a dad to me, drove up to see our home and shared lunch together with another friend.  We talked.  We laughed.  We shared tears of grief.  We remembered.  I took him on a tour of my hometown.  We hugged good-bye and spoke words of encouragement and love to one another.  It was a holy moment.

Holy means to be set apart for a special purpose.  Holy moments reflect God’s glory rather than the world.  Holy is living within the will of God.  It is focusing on God and looking for ways God reveals Himself in the moments of life.

When we worship, a holy moment may happen if we are open to God’s Spirit moving within us.  A song may touch you and you lift up your hands in praise to God.  It may touch your heart, and you quietly sigh and feel the presence of the Spirit within you.  It may be in a Church or in your car.  God speaks to you, and it becomes a holy moment. 

Are you living set apart?  That is, is your life set apart from the noise and hustle of this world, that you are listening for God to speak to you and bring hope and healing into your life?  Or has the world got a tight grip on you that you have conformed to the ways of this world and just want to fit in and find happiness in the things and possessions of this world?  You feel empty, though, and sometimes you feel lost in a world that continues but you have changed.

Living set apart means living differently.  It is living with purpose, a daily purpose.  It is no longer just existing or going around in circles.  It is living in the life you now have.  It may be different than you had hoped or expected, but it is the life that is in front of you.  You have been set apart to live differently than the world.  Keep your focus on Jesus and move closer to Jesus.  Do not live in the expectations of others or society.  You have been set apart to live the life only you were designed to live. 

Experience the holy moments of life.  They are right in front of you if you open yourself up to new adventures and experiences.  These holy moments reveal to you that God is always with you.  God has the power to take your breath away and have you stand in awe.  Eagerly pursue the holy.

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Living In The Different

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                     Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper

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