When You Know You Don’t Belong

I think some people are called to be misfits.

Reading about some of the characters in the Bible and their popularity with the status quo (or lack of), and their ability to bring grief to the authorities of the day, the role of a misfit seems somewhat inevitable.

It is sad, however, when people feel like a misfit in church.

The whole call to the Family of God makes you a misfit in the world around you, so the call to be a part of the family should be a place and a community of misfits who finally fit, for they are stones in the masterpiece of the Creator.  That should be the case.

Should.

It is sad, heartbreaking even to read and hear of story after story of church groups behaving like cliques who are quick to alienate those who don’t fit the criteria.  Could be the look, could be the social, cultural or economic background, could be the ethnicity, could be the fact that  their views don’t always fit the conventional of the group.  Whatever it is, to use this as a platform to discriminate against fellow brothers and sisters in Christ and make them feel out of place in the community that God embraces them within is tragic. (And I’m being diplomatic at leaving at the word ‘tragic’.)

It makes a mockery of the gospel that brings reconciliation based on forgiveness to form peace when communities of grace behave in such a manner.  It ridicules our claim to be disciples of Christ when these things occur.

That is why it is a joy to know that people can search for and find places, groups, collectives that take Jesus seriously and are more than willing to accept the unconventional, the abnormal, those that have not fitted within the accepted norms of others, but are still brothers and sisters in Christ.  That is why it is a joy to know that we can be a part of the solution and remain ever vigilant and compassionate so that such things won’t be named among us.

I can empathise a great deal with those who for one reason or another get that feeling when they don’t belong.  It’s not a pleasant feeling, because following Christ is not a solo pursuit.  From that experience I know how valuable it is to relate to brothers and sisters in Christ by first taking that precious time to understand them – really come alongside them to understand them.  Not with an agenda to bring them round to your way of thinking, but with a heart’s desire for the other to know that they are understood.  Not only understood but tremendously loved and supported in prayers, practical support and compassion.

That does not mean we condone evil/sinful attitudes, but it surely means even the truths we endeavour to speak are seasoned with grace and spoken in love.

I am grateful to God for the brothers and sisters who over the years have extended their hand of friendship and embraces of fellowship to me.  I certainly would not be where I am in love with Christ if it wasn’t for such episodes of kindness and care.  My prayer continues to be for those who know what it’s like not to belong to eventually find their place in an expression of the community of grace that seriously lives up to that concept.  My prayer is that those people will find that family and be wrapped in its care and be given those signs of the Kingdom through the family love.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd