Standing Out in Faith: You’re Chosen, Set Apart, and You Belong

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A Few Weeks Ago

A few weeks ago, my husband and I decided to enjoy a date night at the Toyota Center. The Lakers were playing the Rockets, and anyone who knows my husband, you already know he was hyped. He’s a hardcore Lakers fan—hardcore, like “before LeBron, back in the Kobe and Shaq days” hardcore. Meanwhile, I love basketball, but I’m more of a spectator than a die-hard fan. Growing up in Illinois, I was all about MJ (because let’s face it, Michael Jordan was everything), but I haven’t had a team since then.

Even though I don’t have a team, I do love a good theme, so we showed up in full Lakers gear. Purple and gold, head to toe. It was giving solidarity. It was giving fandom. And then, we walked into a sea of red. Toyota Center, home of the Houston Rockets, was packed with fans who had one mission: to let us know we didn’t belong.

It was playful—comments here, side-eyes there—but after a while, you start to feel it. Like, okay, we get it. We’re the outsiders. And yet, it didn’t change our energy. We cheered for the Lakers every time they scored. My husband wore his team pride like a badge of honor, and honestly, so did I. It felt good to stand out, to represent, even when it wasn’t comfortable.

Called to Stand Out

Have you ever felt like that? Like you walked into a space and everyone could tell you didn’t belong? Maybe it was at work, in your family, or even among friends. It’s one thing to stand out because you want to—it’s another to stand out because you’re called to.

Here’s the thing: as children of God, we’re called to stand out. In fact, it’s part of the deal.

1 Peter 2:9 says:
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

Chosen. Royal. Holy. Special. Those words sound beautiful, but living them out? That can feel awkward and isolating. Being set apart doesn’t always feel good. Sometimes it feels like being the only person in the room wearing the wrong colors.

Boldness to Stand Out

There’s a boldness required to stand out for what you believe in. That night at the game, my husband and I kept cheering for the Lakers, even when the Rockets fans around us groaned and booed. We weren’t obnoxious, but we weren’t quiet, either. We knew why we were there, and we weren’t about to let the crowd dim our excitement.

Isn’t that how our faith works? God calls us to live in a way that reflects Him, even when it feels countercultural. Even when it feels uncomfortable. Even when it feels like the world is groaning at your joy.

Examples of Faithful Outsiders

Think about Noah. God told him to build an ark in a time when rain was a distant memory. Imagine how his neighbors must’ve reacted. "Hey Noah, why are you building a giant boat? You know we live nowhere near water, right?" But Noah kept going, not because it made sense to everyone else, but because he trusted God. And that obedience not only saved his family but also changed the course of history (Genesis 6-8).

Or think about Daniel. Everyone around him bowed to an idol, but Daniel refused. Standing firm in his faith landed him in a lion’s den, but God showed up there, too. Being set apart wasn’t just a calling for Daniel—it became his testimony (Daniel 6).

You Belong

It’s hard to stand out. Sometimes, it feels like you’re the only one cheering for something the world has already counted out. But can I remind you of something? You are never alone.

Just like we weren’t the only Lakers fans in that arena, you’re not the only one walking this faith journey. You might feel like the only one in your space, but God always leaves a remnant—people who are praying, believing, and walking alongside you, even if you don’t see them.

More importantly, God is with you. Isaiah 41:10 says:
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

My husband and I walked out smiling that night at the Toyota Center. The Lakers didn’t win, but that wasn’t the point. We showed up, we represented, and we stayed true to who we were.

And that’s exactly what God is calling you to do. Show up. Represent Him. Stay true to who He’s called you to be.

Even if you’re walking in purple and gold in a sea of red, remember this: you’re chosen. You’re set apart. And you absolutely belong.

Thought Questions

  1. Where in your life do you feel God calling you to stand out, even if it’s uncomfortable?
  2. How do you remind yourself of God’s promises when you feel out of place?
  3. Who can you lean on when walking the path of faith feels lonely?

A Song for Your Journey

When you need a reminder that being set apart is part of God’s plan, listen to "You Say" by Lauren Daigle. The song beautifully declares who God says you are—chosen, loved, and enough. Let the lyrics anchor you in the truth of your identity in Christ.

https://youtu.be/2hYTXmjf6GI?si=ogNUu39Y6_jBewaj




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