Misfits

Many of us have an inner misfit: a lonely or out-of-place individual who we often keep hidden. Behind the veil of success, wealth, charm, charisma, humor, I've-got-it-together-isms, and many other types of fronts, hides segments of ourselves that we often keep out of view of others. The result is a deep type of isolation and separation from our communities, our families, friends, and sometimes even the Body of Christ and our God-ordained calling. We hide our true selves because of...
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Many of us have an inner misfit: a lonely or out-of-place individual who we often keep hidden. Behind the veil of success, wealth, charm, charisma, humor, I've-got-it-together-isms, and many other types of fronts, hides segments of ourselves that we often keep out of view of others. The result is a deep type of isolation and separation from our communities, our families, friends, and sometimes even the Body of Christ and our God-ordained calling. We hide our true selves because of fear, insecurity, guardedness, and a seeming certainty that we are the only one who feels the way we do.But this is a lie, designed to keep us from reaching our potential in many ways; and to keep us feeling as though we are all alone. What can we learn from the outcast playthings of the 1964 stop action film: The Charlie in the Box, the spotted elephant, the seemingly unblemished Dolly for Sue, a square-wheeled caboose, the squirt gun that only shoots jelly, or the other exiles? The answer is quite enlightening, and, when pursued to its fullest, could lead to a life of connection with family, peers and church. It could empower us to find our God-ordained calling; to see ourselves with new, grace-filled eyes, and even unleash us to embrace our destiny.