I walked out of the store with only two items in my hand: a birthday card for a friend and a sympathy card for a family who lost their 6-year-old son. 

I sat on the couch with a  couple of friends watching mindless television and earlier that very same day a family lost their son to a life-long heart defect. 

I sat sifting through contract legalese and administrative lethargy while many of the best people I know poured out their God-give gifts at a massive ministry event. 

But life is full of contrast, isn’t it? Right now you might be sitting in your comfortable house while someone else isn’t even sure where they will sleep tonight.

You might be reeling from a huge fight with your spouse while you scroll past someone’s photo of their annoyingly adorable date night. 

You might not know that while you’re celebrating your new job at a restaurant with your family, someone in that same restaurant is being consoled by their friends for having just lost theirs. 

I notice I’ve been wearing a lot more black and white in the past year, the epitome of contrast. I don’t really know what that means about me and where I have been in my life, but it’s relevant and speaks to my soul somewhere deep within. 

I love contrasting colors. I love when one color pops out against another, or the balance that it brings in having opposite colors that both compliment and oppose one another. 

The life of Jesus looked a lot like contrast.  

“Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; 

he took the humble position of a slave

and was born as a human being.

When he appeared in human form,

he humbled himself in obedience to God

and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”

– Philippians 2:7-9

A God who gave up his divine-ness and came to earth to be a human being? A slave? Dying a criminal’s death? 

During his short time traveling with his disciples, Jesus stood in stark contrast to the rest of his culture. Turning tradition on its head and asking the tough questions to people who needed to reframe their perspective. 

Because of our relationship with him, we are called to do the same. To stand in stark contrast to the world around us. 

Instead of hiding our weaknesses and mistakes and shames and regrets, we are asked to face them. To lay them at the feet of Jesus and ask for forgiveness. To use them to minister to others and show God’s sufficient grace and mighty power made perfect through Jesus. (2 Corinthians 12:9-10)

In times of hurt and loss and need we are asked not to lean on the things of this world, but to give thanks to God because of his love through Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Instead of seeking selfish ambition and vain praise, we are asked to value others above ourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Instead of turning to anger or defeat or taking matters into our own hands, we are asked to be patient in affliction. (Romans 12:12)

That doesn’t sound at all like the world we live in, does it? That’s because we are living for a greater Kingdom. One that never fails and that in contrast to this crumbling earth, will last for eternity. 

Are you living your life in contrast?