This Time It Is Different

By Jeanna’ Mead When I sit down to write, it becomes a kind of ritual — an act of preparation that places me exactly where I need to be, both inside and out. I set down my journal and my Bible. I fill a large bottle with iced water. I gather a collection of reading glasses.

Then I open my hands, let go, and let the words flow from my heart through my fingertips. Sometimes I pause to read what I’ve written, fixing pieces along the way. Other times, I just keep going until everything inside me spills out. This time isn’t different — but what I’m about to get into is. --- ## Are we afraid to be different? Do we avoid stepping on toes?

Do we hold back out of fear of hurting feelings? Do we refuse to “butt in” because we don’t want the discomfort — even when God is calling us to speak truth? Have we become so cautious, so timid, that we miss the entire calling to be transformed, to be set apart, to share the hard truth with others?

This vision came to me: A teenage girl stands at the edge of a bridge. She is about to jump. People walk past her saying: - “I don’t want to upset her parents…” - “Nobody asked for my opinion, so I’m not going to say anything.” - “When someone gets that far, you can’t change their mind.” Meanwhile, that girl is silently pleading — begging for someone brave enough to care.

Someone bold enough to step in. Someone loving enough to stop her before she makes a decision she can never take back. A decision that could mean death — physical, emotional, spiritual. --- ## We have GOT to be different. We are called to be light in the darkness, and right now the darkness is loud, bold, and everywhere.

While we “mind our own business,” Satan pushes children off cliffs. He tightens his grip on relatives and friends because we prefer the comfort of pretending everything is okay — until it isn’t. We HAVE to be different now. We must be willing to: - get our hands dirty - cross the abyss - step on some toes - speak truth - save lives We cannot stay neutral.

We cannot whisper “good vibes” as an excuse for inaction. We cannot wait for someone else to step up. --- ## We must be bold. We must: - speak truth - with love - with grace - with courage - with urgency We must dare to be different — in the name of Jesus.

Because this time... This time it is different.