No Longer an Outsider
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. (Romans 15:7)
Spending the first thirteen years of my life in a military family, I often felt like an outsider. Living on base was great because all the kids were in the same boat and bonded quickly. Yet, for several different years, we lived away from a base. We lived in civilian neighborhoods with kids who grew up together. My brother and I often felt like outsiders in various states with different cultures and values. Further, since we knew we wouldn’t be staying long, committing emotionally to the place and its people was challenging. Even if you’ve lived somewhere your entire life, I bet there are moments when you do not feel included.
Chris Thompson addresses the issue of feeling separate from others in his article, “Feeling Like a Misplaced Puzzle Piece in the Wrong Box.” Even Albert Einstein felt excluded when he said, “A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?” Feeling separate from others is something we all feel at different times in life. We are each unique individuals, and none of us can feel included all the time. Nor should our goal be to align ourselves constantly. Yet, there are moments when we should evaluate our situation when we feel excluded. Thompson asks, “It is hard to know when a perspective is valid or not. When does it crossover from being a personality quirk to something of genuine concern?” Simply asking the question provides maturity and wisdom.
The feeling of being a misplaced puzzle piece becomes problematic and not just a step in finding inclusion when we believe we are not worthy of acceptance into the community around us. Perhaps we feel too nerdy, too poor, or the wrong color. Maybe we are the wrong religion or born in the wrong country. Almost all of us can find reasons why we are, somehow, wrong. We experience life’s blessings when we embrace what is right about ourselves.
For the person of faith, God becomes the process of acceptance. We are made in the image of God. We are not wrong. Sometimes, we make poor decisions, but God made us fundamentally sound. Divine grace and mercy make insiders of us all. We are worthy no matter who we are because culture, societal norms, or even “mean girls, [movie reference]” do not determine our value. Embrace others in God’s name. When you do, you will find an easier path from an outsider to a valued family member of the household of God.