I am definitely an outlier, a misfit, one of those people who does not follow the herd, living in land full of rugged individualists all going their own way. Their own way, as in way out there sometimes. It’s somewhat amusing to be perceived as such a traditionalist, a conservative, “old fashioned,” repressed even, because we are really grading on a curve here. Compared to what??! Regardless, alas, I am still a misfit.
The whole concept of being a misfit, of simply feeling as if you don’t fit in, and as if perhaps that is good thing, has been on my mind lately. Romans 12:2 speaks of how we are to “be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
We aren’t supposed to “fit in,” whatever that means. We may be IN the world, but we are not OF the world. If you don’t fit in you’re probably doing something right. There can be a downside to that however, a walling of oneself off from the other humans, isolation, lack of fellowship. We have high suicide rates in this neck of the woods and it’s sad.
In the context of faith, we have huge number of people around these parts called the unchurched church, the Body of Christ outside the ….Body of Christ. I too am so often outside the church, floating from one church to another, so I empathize there. So many people I meet are worshiping in “God’s cathedral” out in nature, or on the internet, or in some isolated family group somewhere. I get it, I really do, but I have to speak against it anyway.
We are called to be in church. It is not optional and there are some really good reasons for that. Church is not really a building or an institution, but it is a group of believers gathered in His name. Even if we feel as if we don’t really need the church, the church sure needs us.
We are the church. I say this over and over again, but it’s challenging concept for many to wrap their brains around. We are His body, His fingers, His words in the world. There is something spiritual that happens when two or more of us are gathered in His name. We are called to worship together and to encourage one another.
Hebrews 10:25 says, “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
“And so much more as you see the day approaching.” It’s sad because as people, the more hurt, wounded, or stressed out we become, the more likely we are to with draw and pull away. As things in the world get scary, we tend to want to pull back, isolate ourselves, ….build a bunker and start hoarding canned spam. I empathize there too, let me tell you.
An old fashioned notion, a bit of wisdom once know around these parts was the survival skill of, “get to know your neighbors.” The precise wrong thing to do when it seems as if the world is going down the drain, is to try to isolate yourself. The early Christians banded together because times were tough, and they practiced the art of exhorting one another.
Exhort means “to strongly encourage, to incite by words or advice; to animate or urge by arguments to a good deed or to any laudable conduct or course of action.”
We’re living in a country full of divisions, disunity, disharmony, evident everywhere from politics, to communities, to the church itself. I can’t really do more than pray, remind people that we are called to “preserve the unity,” and that we are the church.
Be the church.
Athlete and MMA Fight Analysist said:
It takes misfits to make things fit in the overall scheme of things.
LikeLiked by 4 people
insanitybytes22 said:
Amen! It does indeed. Without misfits, we’d be in a world of hurt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Piglove said:
Us misfits should stand brave and tall – and united! XOXO – Bacon
LikeLiked by 3 people
insanitybytes22 said:
Ha! United misfits, I like that. All the outliers, rugged individualists, and assorted stubborn people, line up over here. 😉
LikeLiked by 3 people
joyindestructible said:
Not being able to ‘gather together’ because of my health has made a lot of those things that disgruntle me about church seem small. I may not like the way things are done or the direction leadership leads but I sure do miss those hugs.
LikeLiked by 3 people
insanitybytes22 said:
I am so sorry. You make a really good point about how not having access to something in your life, makes one appreciate and miss it all the more. Suddenly all the petty issues fall away. We have a lot of people who are housebound around these parts and I wish we would work harder to bring the church to them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
joyindestructible said:
Thank you. I’m determined to find a way to put this disease back into remission and return to church. I do however, think churches need to do better about reaching out to people in the community, physically. Everything is so technologically focused that the church in general seems to be losing its real world touch. A friend of mine’s dad is in a nursing home now, he’s asking questions about spiritual things that she feels unqualified to answer. She asked management about ministries that visit the home, thinking there would be several but there were NONE. Hugs are important…
LikeLiked by 2 people
SandySays1 said:
Since each and every one of us is unique, we all could fit in that category. I guess I have to ask the obvious question. What if we were all the same? Don’t think much would happen…………
LikeLiked by 1 person
altruistico said:
Wow ! We were on the same page when speaking today about exhortation (encouragement). Although I could not have said it better than you in your message here.
I love your “down – to – earth” method of communicating your message. There is something to be said about “folk humor” and it’s appeal. It takes nothing from the message; yet, provide a clarity through it’s simplicity. That is a talent not everyone can possess. I admire both your ability and your usage of it.
As I read your post, and the comments affiliated with it I am drawn to one particular paragraph of which follows: “We aren’t supposed to “fit in,” whatever that means. We may be IN the world, but we are not OF the world. If you don’t fit in you’re probably doing something right. There can be a downside to that however, a walling of oneself off from the other humans, isolation, lack of fellowship. We have high suicide rates in this neck of the woods and it’s sad.”
One particular line stands out: “a walling of oneself off from the other humans, isolation, lack of fellowship”. This and the comment made by joyindestructible; saddens me greatly. I am reminded of Matthew 25:37 – 40. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?”
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
I am appalled that joyindestructable friend’s father has no one coming to that nursing home to administer Christ’s work and to bring him spiritual answers on salvation through Jesus Christ. As the body of Christ we disgrace ourselves when we fail to do God work. We disgrace ourselves as Christians when we fail to minister to the broken, the needy and the sick. Where is our humanity? Where is our faith?
You are right, insanity, we are, individually and collectively, the “church.” But we are falling and the rest of the world sees it. We do not set an example for the world and the world sees it. We wonder why people are leaving the church – it’s because we are a poor representation of the church. Now I do not mean to preach a sermon here – but church – WAKE UP!!! Wake up to the fact you are In this world and not Of it….. Wake up to the fact that you are set apart to do the will of God. To spread the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
How will you ever fulfill the Great Commission of Jesus Christ; to go into all the nation and make disciples of men – when you can’t even go into a nursing home or jail and witness to them? How will you answer Jesus Christ upon Judgment when He asks “What did you do with the life I gave you?”
May the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have mercy upon us.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Fromscratchmom said:
Amen! And dittos! And more besides!
LikeLike
Julie Sheppard aka Reiko Chinen said:
This is a very encouraging word. We are all part of one body, but we are all different parts. God made each of us to be unique. We were not made with a cookie cutter. We try so hard to fit into the molds others wants us to be so that we would be accepted and loved but our God loves each of us as we are. So we should be who He made us to be and that is I am me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Pingback: My Article Read (2-29-2016) – My Daily Musing
Debbie L said:
Amen Insanity. And while its convicting, I think https://altruistico.wordpress.com is right. As full time travelers, we’re not physically in our home church very often, so oh how sweet those tighter hugs when we are! But we make it a point to be in a fellowship every week. We’re encouragers when we let them know what we’re doing and how united we are in the Spirit with their work-which is all we’ve seen so far! We pray for the Lord to direct us to the place He would have us visit. And now we do return 2-4 times per location.
There is so much to be done! Our dads were in nursing homes, my hubby’s mom is in assisted living and my mom will be soon. We’re always sure to share the Lord’s love when we visit our own loved ones. And we were sure there was some ministry there as well. It’s hard to fathom there are places where there is no ministry!
LikeLiked by 2 people