Why you shouldn’t worry if you don’t fit in
Feeling left out? Not part of the crowd? Here's why that might be a good thing.
Sometimes it's painfully obvious you'll never be one of the cool kids. You'll never have the right clothes, or be in the right crowd.
But that's okay.
I have a feeling that Christians will never really 'fit in'. And here's why...
As believers, this world is not our home. We are not of this world. We're not created to fit in. (Philippians 3:20)
The enemy has lied to us (especially as teenagers) by telling us that fitting in is so important and we will never be anything if we aren't accepted by anyone.
Most teens and adults have bought into this lie. But that doesn't mean we have to.
Instead, we need to turn to God's Word to see what He says about fitting in.
In Christ, we're accepted
Let's face it. We all face peer pressure and longing to be accepted by someone whether it's by parents, friends, the opposite gender, or teachers.
But, we'll never find fulfillment there.
The only one we should be seeking to find fulfillment in is God. And, as His children, we already have it because of what Christ did on the cross.
We don't have to seek acceptance from anything or anyone else. Through Jesus, God has accepted us without us having to impress Him to gain his approval. He freely gave it to us through His grace. Isn't that amazing?
In the world, we're outsiders
As Christ followers, we are not of this world. Instead of imitating the world, we are called to imitate Christ. And the chances are, the world may not like us – it may even hate us at times. But remember what Jesus said...
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)
Jesus states it plain and simple. The world will hate you. But He went through that same thing as well. Every day is a constant battle. Constantly going against the flow. Following Christ, and resisting the flesh. Taking up your cross.
But take comfort in these words.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
We have Christ and His Word to stand on when the going gets tough.
Therefore, we must be a light
God tells His people in Isaiah to be a "light to the nations"(Isaiah 49:6b). Which means we have to be different – in other words, to NOT fit in. We need to be Jesus to a dark and dying world.
Let me ask you, how can you and I shine like a light if we are the same as everyone around us?
If you answered 'We can't', then BINGO you're correct!
It's simply not possible.
One day, you will fit in perfectly
"And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever." (1 John 2:17)
Everything the world values – fitting in, being cool, money, clothes – it's all going to pass away.
POOF, it's gone.
But, shining our light and doing hard things matter. Even the small things, like mowing the lawn for an elderly neighbor, or even just a smile or text for a hurting friend, it can all make a difference for eternity.
Which one will you pick? Fitting in and chasing after things that don't matter, or being different and doing things that last for eternity? I pick being different.
I may not fit in right now, but one day I'll fit in perfectly in God's kingdom.
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