Trying so hard to fit in, when you were born to stand out

“I sure hope I stand out (for more than just my height), but only if it’s because I am becoming who God wants me to be: something much different than the world’s expectations.” (Photo by scottnj used under Creative Commons license)

By Kira Roberts, Layout Editor

This quote has been stuck in my head for a while now.  I couldn’t tell if it was God trying to tell me something or if I had just heard it somewhere recently, so I Googled it (obviously the best way to answer any question I ever have). It turns out it was a little of both.  The quote is from the movie “What a Girl Wants.” Dr. Seuss also said pretty much the same thing, which is probably where it originally came from. As cheesy as it may seem, this line is so applicable to our lives as followers of Christ.

We all want to be accepted by people; believe me, I understand that as well as anyone (I’m kind of a people-pleaser sometimes…okay most of the time).  Living with fitting in and being accepted as the priority leads to a perfectly normal life…but who wants to be normal? We were made in God’s image, and to me that’s anything but ordinary or normal.  In fact, it’s the absolute most extraordinary thing ever, so we should treat it that way!

Our demoralizing culture tells us what to wear, how to act, what to say and do, and even what to think, but if we are really being the ‘light of the world’ to other people, we have to choose to be different.

Here is where it gets tough.  If by standing out we begin to consider ourselves better than someone else, all we end up becoming is hypocritical and self-righteous.  I’ve seen way too many people put off by the church because of the stereotypical experiences they’ve had; it breaks my heart.

There is a major difference between standing out and putting ourselves on a pedestal.  Standing out involves treating each other with grace and forgiveness, for no other reason than showing God’s love to others.  Standing out means much more than following all the ‘rules’ than many non-believers think are the entirety of our faith.  Standing out means living in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, even when it’s hard and we don’t want to.  Standing out is all about giving all the glory to the Creator and Redeemer when our very nature desires to make it all about ourselves.

Standing out does NOT mean being perfect, but recognizing that we are broken, undeserving, and worthless without the healing, saving, absolute love and power of Christ Jesus.

I sure hope I stand out (for more than just my height), but only if it’s because I am becoming who God wants me to be: something much different than the world’s expectations.  My thoughts may not be profound and my writing may not be eloquent, but I hope that the way I live makes me stand out in a crowd because of Christ’s love in me.

Romans 12:12

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Peter 2:9

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.