Odd One Out
Some days, I have such a strong feeling of being the odd one out. For instance, in casual conversation the topic of music might come up. Growing up, I didn’t listen to the music of my peers very much. I ended up with an eclectic mix of music that spanned well before my birth to present day (think: Beethoven, to Simon & Garfunkel, to Hozier, and on…).
Similarly, I didn’t watch many of the popular television shows and still do not manage to find the time to do that. I enjoy some sports but don’t really watch any or keep up with more than one team on a very loose basis. I hear things that other parents doing as something that “everyone” does for their kids, I do not find myself doing.
So, often, I find myself a little out of step with my peers or those around me. I will admit to you that it can feel somewhat awkward and even a little lonely. And at times, I wish things were different – I wish I were different – so that I could call on the generic “everyone did/does this” to feel included or easily relate to other folks.
But let me share my secret hypothesis with you: I suspect everyone has these things. Sure, I might listen to music that is well out of the era of my peers, do not watch popular sports with any regularity, or do things that seemingly everyone else does; but I suspect that each of us has a place that we feel out of sync with those around us.
Following Jesus can feel like that, too. Our society might suggest that we behave or act in a certain way toward others, especially when we encounter differences between us. Jesus says we should love them. Our culture offers up the love of money and power as a worthy goal. Jesus has a different idea and calls out those in power who do not care for those on the margins. If we are following Jesus, we may be out of sync with what seems like the rest of the world.
What do we do when we are out of step with those around us (many of whom we love) or the world in general? I imagine each of us has a strategy to deal with this feeling of being out of step. But, for the moment, I’ll share mine: I get curious. I wonder why I might think I need to feel like I’m in step with others; I wonder if God created and formed me to be the same or different than the person across from me; and I wonder how Jesus might act or what he might do. Curiosity is the opposite of judgment and when I am curious, I leave judgment of myself, my differences, and others behind.
I remember that no, I do not need to be in step with the world, especially when the world says not to love others. I remember that God created me and has been forming me to be exactly who I am, and God will keep doing that. And when I stop to think about what Jesus might say or do, I am reminded to love others no matter what because that’s how Jesus loves us.
The Psalmist reminds us of how carefully we have been created and how incredible the gift of our creation is. Psalm 139:13-14
For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
So, the next time we feel like we are the odd ones out, let us be curious and remember that God’s works are wonderful – and that we are God’s beloved creations. And that no matter whatever differences we might have or however out of sync we might feel with the world or those around us, we’ll keep doing our best to follow Jesus.
