5-2-21 It’s Hip to Not Fit

Quote: “When I was younger, not fitting in felt like a flaw.  Now it feels like freedom.” – John Mark Green

This quote from freelance writer John Mark Green gave me all the feels.  One of my good friends sent it to me because well, let’s face it, she knew it would encourage me.  I can almost taste the freedom.  It’s coming.  I’m so close!

But that quote is real wisdom speaking.  Someone who has lived live and now realizes that something he saw as a flaw – a bad character trait, a crutch, a stumbling block, a scarlet letter – is now a picture of freedom… a strength, a trophy, a character trait to be proud of.  I guess it really is how you look at things.

You know who else didn’t fit in?  Jesus.

Let me do my best to paint this picture.  In Mark chapter 6, it tells us Jesus went to his hometown with his disciples, who were his closest friends.  One day, he was preaching in the synagogue.  It says the people were amazed.  They said in verse 2, “Where did this man get these things?” and “What’s this wisdom that has been given him?” and “What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?”  They were in awe of this man!  You see, for generations and generations, people had been talking about how God’s son was going to be coming.  So they were looking for a great man – a king.  Not a baby born in a manger to ordinary, humble people like Mary and Joseph.

But then jealousy got the best of these people.  Their questions took a dark turn.  “Isn’t this the carpenter?  Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon?  Aren’t his sisters here with us?”  They started to question his authority.  How could a person such as this speak so eloquently and powerful?  This wasn’t a king.  This was a regular woodworker.  A townsfolk.

Then it says this in verse 3: “And they took offense at him.”  Of course they did.  He was standing out.  He wasn’t fitting the expected mold.  He was breaking social norms and they were ticked.  And very offended.  He went from accepted to rejected in the snap of a finger.

He no longer fit in.

But then we see – because it’s Jesus – his beautiful response.  He chose not to fight back.  He didn’t go on the defense.  He simply said, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”  It goes on to say he could not do any miracles in his hometown, except to touch a few sick people and heal them.  It says he was amazed at their lack of faith.  I can imagine him shaking his head in disbelief.  His closest were now shunning him.

Of course this isn’t the end of the story!  He split up his friends in pairs and sent them out.  He gave them very specific instructions in verse 11: “And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, leave that place and shake the dust off your feet.”  I absolutely LOVE this verse!  It gives Taylor Swift’s song “Shake it Off” a whole new meaning doesn’t it?!  Leave. Go. And don’t stop until you find a place where they do take you in.

Freedom to live your purpose.  That’s what “not fitting in” really means.  There’s freedom in finding people who accept you and love you, despite your quirks and flaws.  Hold onto them.  This is your tribe.

But God wanted me to take this a step further – and this is where I’m currently so close to freedom I can taste it.  If your tribe no longer fits the “new” you that you are trying so hard to create, it might be time to find a new tribe or be a little bit more choosy who you let into your tribe.  Don’t just stay stuck because you feel like you have to.  Grow and then go!  Think of the hermit crab.  He lives comfortable in his shell.  When he gets too big for it, he searches until he finds a bigger shell.  It says so right in Eric Carle’s classic children’s book, “A House for Hermit Crab” – such a great story!  If you grow so much that you outgrow your circle, there is freedom in recognizing that and then finding a new circle.  Move on if God says it’s time!

God will reward you.  He will help you find just the right people if you ask him for help.  Then shake the dust off your feet.  Feel the freedom of knowing you are accepted by the One who loves you most.  And that’s the only person you should worry about trying to fit in with.  Christians come in all shapes and sizes, with all kinds of back stories, and at all kinds of levels of faith.  Keep searching until you find the “just right” fit just like Goldilocks did with the 3 bears’ chairs and beds.  “Just right” is the best kind of fit of all.

Wear the fact that you don’t fit in as a badge of honor.  Because…what if we were never meant to “fit in” in the first place…