Oddly -- Overcoming!

Once A. W. Tozer was asked to describe a true Christian.  A true Christian, Tozer noted is odd.

Flat out --odd!

Think about it, Tozer mused.  "[A true Christian]...feels supreme love for One who he has never seen...Expects to go to Heaven on the virtue of Another.  Empties himself in order to be full. Admits he is wrong so he can be declared right.  Goes down in order to get up. Is strong when he is weak.  Is rich when he is poor. Dies so he can live.  Gives away, so he can keep.  And on top of all that:  sees the invisible, hears the inaudible, and knows a peace that passes all understanding..."

Pretty odd.

But we are called to be odd -- to be different -- to stand out amid dominant culture -- being in the words of Paul, in Philippians 2:  "...blameless and innocent -- children of God -- without blemish -- in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation -- among whom you shine as lights in the world -- holding fast the word of life..."

And so be odd -- and shine! -- in a crooked and perverse world!   Affirm with Paul in 2 Corinthians 4 that "...we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that [the power] is [ultimately] from God -- and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side -- but not crushed; perplexed - but not in despair; persecuted -- but not abandoned; struck down - but not destroyed.  We carry around in our body, the death of Jesus, so that the light of Jesus may also be revealed in our body."  (2 Corinthians 4:7-10). "For God...said:  'Let light shine out of darkness...'"  (2 Corinthians 4:6)
   

During one of the darkest moments of the Civil War, at the siege of Petersburg, George Pickett, of Pickett's charge fame -- received word that his wife had given birth to a beautiful baby boy.  And so instinctively, Robert E. Lee, ordered that bonfires be set -- up and down the Confederate line -- celebrating the joyous news.  But Ulysses S. Grant was not to be outdone.  Why as Pickett's friend from West Point, Grant issued a similar order -- and so bonfires were set all up and down the Union line, as well. And so during one of the darkest moments of the Civil War -- bright light shined -- nevertheless -- all because a baby was born.

Bright light can shine in our dark moments -- because a baby was born -- because Jesus was born.

Listen:  we will dark moments.  "In this world" - Jesus noted.  "You will have trouble.  But take heart, Jesus went on to say.  I have overcome the world.  (John 16:33)

We overcome by being odd.  By "...[seeing] the invisible, [hearing] the inaudible, and [knowing] a peace that passes all understanding..." A.W. Tozer, adapted.    

By shining as lights in a crooked and dark world.

By holding fast the word of life.

By holding fast...to Jesus!