Wednesday Wisdom Tip – Don’t Have to Hate It

When I was growing up, I hated it.

Hated Valentine’s Day. My school did one of those flower fund raisers. Talk about making you feel even more left out! Whose bright idea was it to draw attention to those who don’t have someone…in high school? For someone like me, a girl who wouldn’t do anything with a guy.

I wish I had understood this truth then: I wasn’t made for this world.

John 15:19 says, “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.” (NIV)

It’s normal not to fit in, if you love Jesus.

In his book Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis says the reason for our dissatisfaction here is most likley that we are simply “made for another world”. It is no wonder we sometimes feel like nothing can make us feel truly comfortable here; we were made for heaven.

In today’s verse, Jesus tells us straight up: “you do not belong to the world.” When we choose to follow Him, we choose to no longer belong to the world we live in. I think everybody feels mixed up about life on this earth – people are constantly trying to fit in. But nothing satisfies.

Nobody fits. 

To be Jesus’ follower means that you recognize this, and you don’t try to fit in anymore.

I heard my friend Jeff describe this as the “now and the not yet”. We’re stuck between where we are and the place we were made to live one day. While we’re here, we are to love, honor, and follow Jesus. He’ll give us instructions through his Word and the Holy Spirit. Just knowing he’s with me and speaks to me gives me the peace I need.

Check out this song that describes it perfectly:

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If you can’t see the video, click follow this link: http://youtu.be/he32vwlKQPY

Encourage your girl today if she has been trying to fit in. Just stop! Embrace being weird and get comfortable with being different.

 

* Adapted from “Devotions for a Revolutionary Year: 365 Days of Jesus’ Radical Pursuit of You” by Lynn Cowell

Lynn