Strikingly Different

It's amazing what we learn by contrast - a considering of this compared to that: for example, sitting on the beach with an 8mph wind versus a 15mph wind. The word "contrast" is actually a 17th Century art term used to describe distinct differences in form or color: similar yet dissimilar, alike yet unlike - strikingly, blindingly, amazingly, extraordinarily different. God gives us a contrast between the ungodly (cursed) and the godly (blessed): "the man who trusts in man ... he is like a shrub in the desert ... shall not see any good come ... shall dwell in the parched places" compared to "the man who trusts in the Lord ... is like a tree planted by water ... does not fear when heat comes ... its leaves remain green ... is not anxious in the year of drought ... does not cease to bear fruit" (Jeremiah 17:5-8, ESV). Those who really love The Lord make strikingly different choices than those who do not [love the Lord], and those strikingly different choices lead to strikingly different results! Jesus said, "Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!" (Luke 11:28, ESV). It's not just about occupying our time with the Word of God - the Word of God must occupy our lives ... let His Word be absorbed into the totality of our lives. When we do this, our lives will be ... strikingly different!