I had to spend a day with some people of different beliefs and lifestyles than mine. A lot of bawdy jokes were made and several ungodly things were said, and I found that I couldn't help laughing at them.

I usually want to stand out for Christ wherever I am, but at the close of that day, I found that I had become associated with them. An onlooker would have believed that we were a group with the same beliefs, manner of words, and lifestyle. By sitting and laughing, I had become lost in that crowd; I was like any other man there.

This event immediately reminded me of Samson and the words he said to Delilah.

Judges 16:17 – He told her all his heart, and said unto her, There hath not come a razor upon mine head; for I have been a Nazarite unto God from my mother's womb: if I be shaven, then my strength will go from me, and I shall become weak, and be like any other man. (KJV)

God made Samson different: he was powerful; he was a Nazarite — set apart. He had been separated and differentiated from other men both in spiritual consecration and physical prowess right from the womb. Samson knew that he wasn't like other men, and he clearly knew the consequences of losing what made him different.

There were conditions for him to be and remain a Nazarite. His mother must stay away from uncleanness and remain sober while carrying the child in her womb, and the child's hair must never be cut.

The Philistine lords offered Delilah a reward if she could find out the source of Samson's strength in order to overpower him. Eventually, he sadly lost what made him different, and he was publicly afflicted.

My dear friends, Christ in your life makes you different: at home as a family, as a neighbour, as an employer or employee, as a member of your community, as a member of whatever gathering you are in. If you lose Christ, you lose what makes you stand out.

In a bid to "feel among", to become "one of them", don't lose what God has deposited in you. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't relate to people or that you should cut yourself off from everyone, but don't exchange your glory for gain, your power from God for pleasure, or your talent for trends.

If you have become like any other man or woman, or you are almost there, rejoice in that your power in God can be restored, like Samson, whose power briefly returned at the end of his life. Hold fast to what God has given you. If you have thrown Christ out of your life, God is merciful: come back to Him.

Revelation 3:11 – Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. (KJV)

Prayer: Lord, help me not to lose the gift of being a light to my generation. Help me to stand out for You. Amen.