You’ve seen Beauty and The Beast, right?

I watched that movie ad nauseum growing up, sang along with every song and dreamed of dancing in a huge ballroom in a golden dress. Yet somehow, I hadn’t seen it in probably 15+ years. Until recently.

There was a sing-along version of the movie and as I sat there watching the words rolls across the screen, it hit me.

There’s Belle floating through the village, singing, popping into the bookstore and being hit on by the guy that uses antlers in all of his decorating {shudder}. The entire town is singing about her. They all know who she is.

{Sing with me if you like…}

Now it’s no wonder that her name means beauty. Her looks have got no parallel.
But behind that fair facade, I’m afraid she’s rather odd.

Very different from the rest of us,

she’s nothing like the rest of us.

Yes, different from the rest of us is Belle.

And as I watched those words vanish from the screen, a few verses popped into my mind.

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives. – 1 Peter 2:9-12 {The Message}

Basically, we’re all called to be Belles.

We don’t necessarily have to have people singing about us {although that would be fabulous}, but we are commanded to live set apart lives.

Does our life look different from the world? In what we watch? In what we listen to? In the words we speak? In the way we dress? In the way we react? In the way we live our lives?

{Whoa…sorry, for getting all up in your business for a sec.}

But really?

I was a really good incognito Christian. I looked exactly like the world Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday {except for the hours of 7-8 p.m.}, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It has only been the past two years that all my days of the week look the same. I now act the same regardless of who I’m around.

I’m thrilled that the realization of who Jesus is {my Savior}, what He did for me {rescued and redeemed me}, and the life He intended for me to live {free and fully alive} finally made the decades long trip from my head to my heart.

So you may be thinking, that sounds real nice lady. But how? How do I live this set-apart life?

Get into His Word.

Seek Him. {I promise you’ll find Him.}

This, by no means, makes you into some Super Christian. But it does change you. The way you react to the child that has talked back for the hundredth time. The words flung into the air when something bad comes down the pike.

The coolest part? This difference in our lives?

Others are going to see it and start asking questions. Just maybe they give faith a chance because they see your walk matches your talk. They’ll then be a part of the choir when the entire universe breaks into song about One person.

And it ain’t Belle.

What’s the biggest “night-and-day difference” the presence and power of Christ has brought into your life?

Sound off in the comments! Let’s do some Acts 4:20-ing!

By Rebekah @  The Most Random of Random

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