If anyone would have asked me what I would be doing at the age of 52, I am sure my answer would not have been pursuing a master’s degree in Ministry Leadership.  We must stop and ask ourselves, is what we live for worth what Jesus died for?  When I answered this question five years ago, I fell far short of honoring what Jesus died for.  I was a Jack! I thought I didn’t need His Word, I could do it on my own. I was wrong. Through Jesus, I realized a change needed to be made.  As a new husband and father, I needed more than me.  I had to remove myself from the equation, let Jesus into my heart, give Him the room to work, and that is when life changed.  

Transformation happens within us when we act and believe differently than before.  We become Uncommen through our actions, our words, and our expressions of love.  We are ultimately influenced by what we think, and the mind is a very powerful influencer.  When we use God’s truth to replace our old ways of thinking, identify with His Word, we become transformed, we become Uncommen, we become unique to those around us.  Looking at a few of these scriptures, what can we see in ourselves?

• “For the Spirit, God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV).  We are fearless, powerful, and smart.
• “It’s in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” (Ephesians 1:11–12, The Message).  We have been adopted into God’s family, chosen, accepted, and loved.
• “This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave, tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike “What’s next, Papa?”” (Romans 8:15, The Message).  We are no longer a slave to fear, we are bold, we are Uncommen.

  The book of Acts is compelling and transformative in many ways.  Forty miracles are recorded, of which thirty-nine happen entirely outside of the walls of the Church.  One place you will not find the Apostles much is inside the Church.  We, Uncommen men, are no different and can develop relationships anywhere we may be.  The Church goes far beyond the walls to seek the lost.  When examining Acts 9, the most significant transformation of Saul exemplifies how God uses everyone in and through His design. How do you think Saul may have felt at that moment in Acts 9 “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him he fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:3–6, NIV) Jesus knew who was to be His messenger despite the uneasiness of the other apostles.  “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (Acts 9:15–16, NIV) Paul suffered and suffered, however, he proved to be exponentially influential in the multiplication of the Church, discipleship making and leadership training.  Paul is an example of God using anyone and everything to advance the Kingdom.  

The faith life does not guarantee a comfortable experience, but it will create a transformed life in ourselves and others.  Ask yourself, what would you do in Paul’s position when surrounded by the light of heaven? Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance in your life for promises to believe.  We are as UNCOMMEN as the Apostles, I challenge you to go into the city, go into the world be UNCOMMEN, suffer for Him, create new relationships, and believe what you confess.