Believing in something we cannot see is not always easy, especially when it feels like we are the only ones seeing it. Sometimes, it can feel like everyone else is going one way, and we are going the other. That is what Part Six of “I’m Believing For It” is all about. Pastor Andrew Gard talks about how following Jesus does not always fit with what the world says is normal. He reminds us that we are not made to blend in. We are made to stand out in a way that honors God.
When we say, “I am different,” we are not saying we are better or perfect. We are saying God made us to live with a purpose that might not look like everything around us. This post unpacks what that looks like in real life and why it is actually a really good thing to step into the kind of different that comes from walking with Jesus. That is what we are learning together here at Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida.
What It Means To Be Different with Jesus
Living differently does not mean being strange or left out. It means being chosen for something meaningful. When we follow Jesus, our hearts start to shift. We start thinking in new ways. We speak with more care, and we love with more purpose. This kind of change does not always show up in big, dramatic moves. Most of the time, it shows up in quiet things like how we treat people, how we think about ourselves, and what choices we make.
God does not call us to copy what everyone else is doing. He invites us to live in a way that reflects who He is. That means being kind when it is easier to be rude, telling the truth when it is tough, and showing love when we would rather argue. Being different with Jesus means we carry His heart into the everyday stuff. That kind of different does not push people away. It draws them in.
From Sunday gatherings to Grace City Groups, where people can find community and grow in faith, we offer ways to help you live out this kind of everyday difference, connected to others on the same journey.
Standing Firm When It’s Not Easy
Summer has a way of shaking up our routines. Some people travel, school is out, and time feels a little off. It can get lonely or even confusing when you are trying to stay grounded, especially if it seems like faith does not fit with what everyone else is doing. This is where being different actually matters more.
When life feels unsteady, we hold tight to what we know is true. Trusting in God’s plan, even when things around us say something else, keeps us steady. That does not mean we never feel unsure. It means we do not let those feelings make the final call.
Here is what steady faith can look like this time of year:
- Taking time to pray, even when the schedule is full
- Choosing to show up for someone, even if no one notices
- Remembering that we are part of something bigger, even when we feel small
Each time we take a step like that, no matter how small, we are saying, “Yes, I am different, and that is okay.”
Living With Purpose, Not Perfection
We get frustrated when we mess up or do not do things right. But being different with God does not mean we have to do everything perfectly. It means we show up with a willing heart. Our goal is not to be flawless. It is to live with purpose.
That purpose shows up in everyday moments, like being patient when things are not going our way or choosing to forgive quickly. It is in smiling at someone when we would rather walk by, or holding a door, or checking in on a friend who seems quiet.
We are not trying to earn something by being good. We are responding to God’s grace by living like Him the best we can. Even our messy parts matter, because God uses all of it to help us grow.
We encourage everyone, no matter their starting point, to take their next step of faith, whether that is joining a Sunday service, attending a Next Steps class, or serving with others who share your heart for making a difference.
Letting God Lead the Way
Trying to figure everything out on our own can get overwhelming. But we do not have to do that. When we let God lead, we walk a different path, one that is marked by peace, even in hard moments.
We find God’s direction by drawing close to Him. Prayer and reading the Bible help us stay connected. Being part of a church family is another way we stay in step with the kind of life He wants for us. When we surround ourselves with people who are walking the same direction, it reminds us we are not alone.
It is okay if we do not always know what comes next. What matters is that we are following the One who does. Letting Him lead shows that our different life is not just about us. It is about trusting the One who made us.
The Good That Comes From Being Different
Choosing to live differently with God brings more than just change in behavior. It brings real peace. It gives us steady hope. It shapes our days with purpose and fills quiet moments with a sense of belonging.
Even if the world does not always understand that way of living, God does. He sees every quiet choice we make for good. He uses those choices to make a bigger difference than we can see.
Being different is not something we should hide. It is something we get to lean into. It is a sign that we belong to something that lasts. It is good to be someone who lives with joy, hope, and trust, even if it does not quite match what is around us.
Embracing a Different That Lasts
That is the kind of different we want to live every day here at Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida.
Purpose looks different for everyone, and we believe it is worth walking out together. At Grace City Church, we know every step matters, no matter how quiet or small. Choosing to be set apart in your actions and heart is something we are embracing in this season. Take a look at what it means to be part of Grace City Church in Lakeland, Florida and let us know when you are ready to connect.
