I’ve always been somewhat of an oddball. I don’t know why, but I’ve never quite fit in with everyone around me. As a kid I was too full of ideals and energy to really flow with the crowd. As I got older, the differences became more apparent. When I graduated from high school, I pursued online courses; at that time, everyone else was choosing their university. While my peers were discussing what career to pursue to make the most amount of money, I was preparing for a full-time volunteer post. It’s been the story of my life that I don’t follow the “in” thing to do.
I don’t mind it so much. I’m just trying to follow the unique path God has designed for me. Most of my other Christian friends are also considered unusual by the world’s standard. But I don’t think that’s a bad thing, because I’ve come to realize that Jesus was somewhat of a rebel in His time, too. He did not follow all the structured religious and societal norms of His day. He did whatever His Father told Him to do, and He didn’t “fit in” with the mainstream at all.
Many men and women of God throughout the ages were very different from their contemporaries, so this is nothing new. Disciples of Jesus will always stand out, because God’s Word is very different from popular social trends.
If you have love as a priority instead of fame, you’re an oddball.
If you forgive instead of seeking or desiring your enemies’ downfall, you’re unusual.
If you trust in the Lord instead of leaning on and being proud of your own understanding, you’re different.
As Christians, our ideas of achievement and success differ from society at large. Jesus told us that if we live a life in pursuit of Him, He will greet us in heaven with “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Not “Well done, rich and successful lord,” or “Well done, popular and influential celebrity,” but “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
I think that tells us what we need to know about God’s idea of success and the lifestyle God considers worth congratulating.