One of the largest crowds we have in the Church are the misfits. These are the ones who do not fit in with the popular crowd. I am a misfit even amongst the misfits. I wish I were more normal as I love people, and I love to spend time with them. But God has seen to make me as I am, and I am quite sure He knew what He was doing.
Some in the Church seek popularity with the same self-centered motives of the world. Be sure the world is in the church, but the question is how much of the world is in you? I think that the misfits in the church are also the misfits of the world. It is wonderful to not fit into a world in which we do not belong. Don’t worry if you are not popular, so long as you are walking with the Lord.
Be glad when you don’t fit into this world, because you are not supposed to. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ” (Philippians 3:20).
God designed me to be a loner. I asked Him one day, “why did you make me like this?” He whispered into my heart, “so I can spend more time alone with you.” “But to You I have cried out, O Lord, and in the morning my prayer comes before You” (Psalm 88:13).
I used to envy the popular and despise my strangeness. Now I feel sorry for the popular and see the blessing in my strangeness. Perhaps you are a misfit, one of those who do not fit in. You are not alone no matter how alone you feel. I want you to know that the Lord can use you just as you are. The popular crowd is small, so there is a great opportunity for you to fellowship with all the misfits around you.
It is the poor in spirit that take hold of the things of heaven. Jesus told us, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3).
Sometimes it is in the rejection of men where we show ourselves right with God. Jesus taught, “If you were of the world, the world would love its own…” (John 15:19).
God uses misfits for His grandest missions. The prophets were always the strange ones. The priests were never meant to fit in. Don’t you get it, being different is better than being the same. God has made you different for a reason. Seek the reason. “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well” (Psalm 139:14).
Your life matters because God says so. “How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand…” (Psalm 139:17-18).
To get close to God, you must become further from man. “And when He [Jesus] had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there” (Matthew 14:23).
Maybe you are one of the popular ones in the Church. We need some to take a higher position that they can lead and inspire those around them. Just keep yourself humble before God, or He will take care of that for you. Be willing to serve the least that God can use you the most.
If you are popular, I want you to know the significant impact you can have on others. Never underestimate the worth in a soul though they sit on the fringes of your ministry. The height of your faith is reflected in how low you would become for others. Humility is the highest order in heaven.
Kingdom success has more to do with motives than accomplishments. “So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For He will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due” (1 Corinthians 4:5 New Living Translation).
For the misfits, you must connect with other believers. You must beware the pride or the fear that leaves you stranded and vulnerable to the attack from the enemy. We are not created to live alone, and we need each other more than you can realize. Even if it makes you uncomfortable, seek fellowship with other Christians.
Faith is a journey we must never walk alone. “Two are better than one… For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10).
It is the Devil that tries to separate you from other believers such that he can destroy you. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another…” (Hebrews 10:25).
Friend, in however you feel like you are a misfit, know there is a soul near you who feels the very same way. Be a friend to have a friend. Be a blessing that you will be blessed.
Blessings to you,
Paul Balius
All Scripture is quoted from the New King James Version unless otherwise noted. Please use the version you prefer to review the verses shown here. The best version is the one you read. An even better version is the one you live.