The Beauty of Being Set Apart
The culture we live in is always on a path to appear “set apart.” Their version of being set apart is about wanting others to believe they are uniquely different, more desirable, in whatever realm they are trying to achieve status. But when we apply this same mindset to the calling of God on our lives and try to manufacture being set apart, we will always fall short.
Trying to walk out being set apart when we aren’t first clear on our identity will only lead to more striving and confusion. Our goal isn’t to be set apart so we can be included in the happenings around us, the social groups we long to join, or even the positions we aim to achieve to feel rewarded.
If we place deep heart change in the hands of a superficial process, we will always be met with loneliness and dissatisfaction.
Even in David's groanings and depressive state in Psalm 42:7–8, he states, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night—a prayer to the God of my life.” The depth of our lives, and what we truly reflect, will be revealed in how we walk out our desire to be set apart.
When I think about the things I’ve had to walk through in my life up to this point, being under His covering and Presence has always made me feel set apart unto Him. Not set apart for the viewing of others, but set apart into His heart. The closer in proximity I have been to Him, the choices I make to please Him become lighter and clearer, because I’m set so close to Him. He makes me feel like I’m His only child by how much He has shown me, shared His goodness, and made a way time and time again.
I promise, if you are walking closely with Him, it doesn’t take much for Him to illuminate something that isn’t of Him in your life. Once you’ve felt His hand on you, you are quick to respond in honor and love. In that moment, you realize that being “set apart” is really about being surrendered to whatever He calls you into.
So the next time you’re questioning whether you should lay something down, take it to Jesus. Ask Him if it’s Him revealing something to you. Ask if laying that thing down will please Him, if putting down that control will allow Him more access to your heart, and if surrendering that habit will draw you closer to His heart.
He wants to know our hearts just as much as we long to know His.
Don’t be shy; choose vulnerability.
Don’t be prideful; choose humility.
Prayer | Father, thank You for calling us to be set apart—not for the approval of others, but for the nearness of Your presence. Help us to see that surrender isn’t loss, but the very place where Your Spirit meets us and transforms us. Show us the areas that keep us from being close to You, and give us the courage to lay them down. May our hearts reflect Yours, and may our lives be set apart unto You. Amen.
Trying to walk out being set apart when we aren’t first clear on our identity will only lead to more striving and confusion. Our goal isn’t to be set apart so we can be included in the happenings around us, the social groups we long to join, or even the positions we aim to achieve to feel rewarded.
If we place deep heart change in the hands of a superficial process, we will always be met with loneliness and dissatisfaction.
Even in David's groanings and depressive state in Psalm 42:7–8, he states, “Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. The Lord will send His faithful love by day; His song will be with me in the night—a prayer to the God of my life.” The depth of our lives, and what we truly reflect, will be revealed in how we walk out our desire to be set apart.
When I think about the things I’ve had to walk through in my life up to this point, being under His covering and Presence has always made me feel set apart unto Him. Not set apart for the viewing of others, but set apart into His heart. The closer in proximity I have been to Him, the choices I make to please Him become lighter and clearer, because I’m set so close to Him. He makes me feel like I’m His only child by how much He has shown me, shared His goodness, and made a way time and time again.
I promise, if you are walking closely with Him, it doesn’t take much for Him to illuminate something that isn’t of Him in your life. Once you’ve felt His hand on you, you are quick to respond in honor and love. In that moment, you realize that being “set apart” is really about being surrendered to whatever He calls you into.
So the next time you’re questioning whether you should lay something down, take it to Jesus. Ask Him if it’s Him revealing something to you. Ask if laying that thing down will please Him, if putting down that control will allow Him more access to your heart, and if surrendering that habit will draw you closer to His heart.
He wants to know our hearts just as much as we long to know His.
Don’t be shy; choose vulnerability.
Don’t be prideful; choose humility.
Prayer | Father, thank You for calling us to be set apart—not for the approval of others, but for the nearness of Your presence. Help us to see that surrender isn’t loss, but the very place where Your Spirit meets us and transforms us. Show us the areas that keep us from being close to You, and give us the courage to lay them down. May our hearts reflect Yours, and may our lives be set apart unto You. Amen.
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