FLOURISHING IN DISTINCTION

“But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” – 1 Peter 2:9

God wants you to flourish like the Palm Tree – to FLOURISH in DISTINCTION! The Palm tree is distinctive, special, and unique. Distinction speaks of exceptional qualities in things or people. It means being set apart, often by excellence. Distinction is a quality of excellence that sets someone or something apart from others; being in a class of one’s own; or being First Class. It is the quality of being special, exceptional, and unique. To flourish like the Palm tree is therefore to flourish as an exceptional, excellent, peculiar, special, and unique personality, by the Grace of God. You must not settle for the average, ordinary or lack-lustre life. You must not negotiate with the devil to live a shrivelled life with shrivelled expectations. Abhor the average. As a believer in Christ, your place is at the Top! Go for it!

Palm trees are easily spotted and identified. Everyone can easily identify a palm tree. They are difficult to hide and do not blend in with their environment. Jesus said that a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. The child of God must be noticed sooner or later by a distinctive godly lifestyle different from the corruptive lifestyles of the world. God wants to beautify the saints until they will be attractive and manifest the sweetness of Jesus to a lost world. That is why Jesus described the believer as the light of the world and the salt of the earth (Mt.5:13-16). You are designed in the image of God to flourish; to live in and help bring about God’s design for the world, for our good and for His Glory. God is calling you to get up and get out of every rut of unrighteousness. As you respond to His Word, you'll discover a flourishing of faith. You'll witness His Life blossom in you like never before.

The Palm tree is distinct from many other trees in height. It usually grows very tall with leaves at the top, signifying majesty, beauty, and dignity. This makes the Palm tree beautiful to behold as it gives shade for people to find relief from the heat of the sun. The Palm Tree Believer is aptly described in scriptures: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, His own special people…” (1Pet.2:9). The life of a Palm tree saint is very pleasant to other people, bringing blessings, comfort, and joy to others. The Holy Spirit imparts a Christ-like character, a tenderness of tongue, a winning position, and power to receive and draw from an heavenly influence.

Part of what makes the Palm tree to be distinct, unusual, and unique is that it cannot be grafted. Horticulturists say that to graft a palm tree is to kill it! In similar vein, to graft a Christian into the world is to kill his or her testimony and influence. The believer is divinely designed to be distinctive and easily distinguished from the world. Paul admonished: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom.12:1-2). The Palm tree saint cannot be made to conform to carnal standards, worldly doctrines, demon-inspired traditions, and lustful pleasures. Rather, he or she flourishes in distinction, as Light amidst the world’s gross darkness!