One Way. Advent Day 13. December 13, 2013.

Sometimes it frustrates me that I don’t fit in.

Don’t have a ton of friends,

go to bed by 8pm,

actually like church,

enjoy school.

I’m not having a pity party by any means.

I am completely okay with all of the above statements.

But I can’t help but realize those statements are still very different from the majority of people.

I guess that is what is frustrating,

being stuck somewhere,

having a certain set of values

that don’t quite match with all the

other someones that you are stuck with.

Basically my options are:

keep being weird

or

conform.

Do not conform yourselves to this age.

Romans 12:2

So…the second option is out.

But I’ve learned that the first option is okay.

Being weird is more than okay.

If you think about different influential and incredibly holy people in the Bible,

most of them were not what was considered normal.

In fact, part of the reason they were so influential was because they broke out of the norm.

Along with breaking from the norm can come with consequences though.

People will look at you when you hold yourself to a higher standard than the norm.

When you walk away from gossip,

or choose to not see a certain movie,

or when you make the decision to go to Mass instead of partying.

You’re going to lose friends.

You’re going to be weird.

You’re going to be frustrated at times.

But greater than that all,

you’re not alone.

Jeremiah mentioned that he felt as though he was imprisoned in his bones (20:9).

That doesn’t sound enjoyable

but at the same time, it is beautiful.

This world was not Jeremiah’s home.

It’s not mine.

And it is not yours.

Why conform?

Why be comfortable?

Why be normal?

Why not make waves?

Why not challenge yourself?

Why not be uncomfortable?

There is beauty in

challenge,

change,

not conforming,

being weird,

holding yourself to a high standard,

knowing the you might feel like a prisoner here,

but that all your efforts will be rewarded when you make it home.

But I’m not sentimental.

This skin and bones is a rental

and no one makes it out alive

And on the final day I die

I want to hold my head up high

I want to tell You that I tried

To live it like a song

And when I reach the other side

I want to look You in the eye

And know that I’ve arrived

In a world where I belong

Where I Belong- Switchfoot