Different Strokes for Different Folks

It’s that time of year. You know what I’m speaking of; it’s the time when the weather begins to get a little warmer, school is drawing to a close, and talks about vacations and relaxation become a topic of discussion. It is a time when grooming our lawns and tending to the landscaping is a weekly practice. Kids begin to play more outdoors and we look to grill on the ‘bar-bie’ a couple times a week.
The start of the summer months bring about a change in our practices and behavior that many people look forward to all year long. In many aspects, it is the best time of the year. Just check with any school age kid. I for one do not over appreciate the notion of hot and humid weather. As far as the time off from school, I end up with even more work and more responsibilities because the kids are not in school; and don’t even get me started about all the bugs, flies, bees and mosquitoes.
There is validity in the statement ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder’. It emphasizes that ‘one man’s trash is another man’s treasure’. You see, it’s all about perspective and it changes from one person to another on just about every subject at hand. It is not always about right and wrong views; but it is drawn from what a person may prefer or favor. Such topics range from foods and palates, to the temperature of the room, to career and educational selections. In general, the vast majority of these perspectives and preferences are of a personal choice that each of us decides upon in our lives.
Now there is a prominent perspective that all people should share; that is, the knowledge of the divine will of God. In 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Paul writes,
1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
It is here that we understand that God’s desire for all humanity is to come to Christ and for us to live in his righteousness and holiness. These are the truths that have been established by God and are un-negotiable, forever standing and absolute. People cannot inject their position into the will of God. His insight and wisdom is unsurpassed and his knowledge is supreme.
Whose power and ability is greater than that of the Lord? With that, we need to realize that God’s abilities and perceptions far exceed that of any man. Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us that,
8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. 9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God does not work in the precepts of opinions and preferences of others: No, God deals in his absolutes and sovereignty.
So as we exercise our ability to embrace certain perspectives and preferences, we should also be mindful of the steadfast standards that are ordained by the Lord. In addition, remember to be respectful and courteous to others because not everyone enjoys eating the same foods or wearing the same clothes.