Dare To Be Different

Remember (if you’re old enough 😊) Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer? The TV classic that showed every year during Christmastime with Rudolph, the outcast, his equally downtrodden elf buddy Hermey, Burl Ives singing in the background as Sam the Snowman and a whole host of other characters?  

Remember the Island of Misfit Toys? … A seemingly flawed discarded group that just didn’t fit in. 

What a great show. We watched it every year as a family.  

In the end, the ragtag crew found each other and Christmas was saved. 

As Christians, sometimes it feels like WE are the discarded group living on the Island of Misfit Toys, doesn’t it? We live in a crazy world these days, for sure. But have no fear. 

Be encouraged. If you see yourself as a Christian misfit wondering, “Am I the one who’s different?,” then great! Because you are.  

Paul tells us in Romans 12:2 not to conform to this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. But how do we transform?  

It starts with our heart and inviting the Holy Spirit to live His life through us, which leads to an overhaul of our attitudes and actions, and ultimately results in the transformation of how we live.

Can you spot the differences between a believer and a non-believer? When you look in the mirror, can you see the difference Christ makes in your life?  

If different means faith, hope, love, Jesus, God, Holy Spirit, contentment, true riches and eternal gain… then different is good, Amen?! 

In a world straying from the Lord, we need to stay convicted and run to the Lord.  

I dare you to be different! Different in how you walk, talk, think and, maybe most importantly, how you live. For your good and God’s glory.  

In 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, Paul teaches, “Make it your goal to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we instructed you before. Then people who are not believers will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others.”

I believe Paul is encouraging us to live a simple life. To be humble, work hard, live modestly and within our means, take care of our families and to be a positive example for those around us.  

When we live simply, of course we will look different by the world’s standards. We may even be called “misfits.” That’s ok.  😊  

As Christians, we are playing a different game. OUR focus is on how living like Jesus empowers us to glorify God and advance His Kingdom through our families and others. 

Living simply is a decision. Just like the decision we make every day to serve God over money (Matthew 6:24). Living simply positions us to be generous. Living simply helps us align our money and lifestyle to the will of God. 

Living simply is an investment in future experiences, allowing us to put our resources fully into those things we care most about—our faith, family, friends, church, business, community and so on.  

Living simply is, simply put… living free to serve Him.   

Misfit Christians are cool, and so are you. Lean in and dare to be different!  

Keep charging for Christ,

Brandon Sieben

CEO, Compass Global

P.S. Learn more about what God has to say about lifestyle and how to be a financial disciple by visiting our Grow page at compass1.org or click here: https://compass1.org/grow-on-your-journey/.

AUTHOR BIO

After nearly three years in a mentoring relationship with Founder and Chairman Howard Dayton, Brandon joined Compass-finances God’s Way as president and CEO in September 2019. Brandon graduated with a B.S. in finance from the University of Illinois and an MBA from the University of Iowa; and also studied international business at the Universidad de Alicante in Spain, and Latin American business and culture at the Instituto de Idioma Español in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Brandon and his wife, Deb, are actively involved in ministry in their local church and community. They have three daughters, Kay, Nina, and Georgia, and currently reside in Iowa City, Iowa.