The beloved misfit
“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”- John 15:19
“Going against the grain”
“Swimming upstream”
“Radicals”
“Outcasts”
…..no, I’m not referring to trend-setters and fad-lovers who create controversies to monger attention.
These are in fact the true description of citizens who belong to a faraway land, far-off and better-off from here.
As much as these citizens tries to shy away from attention, because of these characteristics, they just can’t help but stand out..
And sometimes, they just can’t help but struggle with their own identity issues?
“Why can’t I just blend it…why can’t I shake off the feeling that I’m not where I’m supposed to be….is life more than this, more than whatever I’m doing now?”
Sometimes, it is so tiring to be the odd one out, that the extreme thought of staying in a country with only like-minded citizens does come into their mind once in a while..
“Maybe I should just apply for ministry work and surround myself with monks…”
Indeed we have forgotten, time and time again, that once we’ve made the decision to take up the cross, we will be labelled the biggest misfit ever.
Having the mark of Jesus stamped on my forehead will mean we will have to stand up for injustice, even though we know we will be mocked and ridiculed for it…
It means we have to have courage to be the one to say we’re sorry, to make amends, to seek out reconciliation, even though we’re clearly not at fault…
It means we have to be vocal about Him, declaring we’re His children, even though we know we’ll be labelled a Jesus freak and inwardly we’re a shy introvert.
It means we have to proclaim His truth the world to a world corrupted by deceit and greed and numbed by coldness and denial.
It means for some of us, we have to toil away in a mundane, loveless and suffocating job, that feels like a perpetual square peg in a round hole….and even still, give Him all glory, praise, gratitude and thanks….as we wait patiently for Him to open the right doors…
It means we have to seek peace, instead of taking sides, even in the midst of the most difficult conflicts where everyone is either on your left or right, but we’re right smack in the middle.
It means we have to be still, to clasp our hands in prayer, even when insults, angry words are hurled relentlessly at us.
Sometimes it almost feels natural to behave as such, but many times it doesn’t…yet, we feel inclined we have to as the daily battles with our flesh continues..
And sometimes we succumbed and we went the opposite direction and plonked down that heavy cross…and put up a ‘off-season’ sign…
But only to find again His merciful hands lifting us up as He tends to our wounds, encouraged us and cheered us on to take it up again…
So who says that being a Christian means we’ll be well-loved and well-respected holy monks who will be raised on a pedestal, ranking high on a level of saintliness…
In fact we’re a bunch of motley crue,…hated by the world, but loved by Him…His beloved misfits.
“Thank You Lord, for calling me wherever I am. Please give me the strength to stand for what I believe, even though the weight of the cross sometimes feels too much to bear. Restore me to the original calling and purpose You have for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen”
