Read: John 15:18-19; Hebrews 11:13-16; Philippians 3:20; John 17:16; 1 Peter 2:11
Once again, this year, we watched the classic cartoon "Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer", and though we know many of the lines, we still enjoyed it. My favorite part continues to be the scene where the unwanted toys such as the boat that doesn't float, are taken off the Island of Misfit Toys. Their destinations? Homes where they will be loved by a little boy or girl.
At this point, I could happily write how wonderful it is that Jesus is still transforming misfits like each of us into His dearly loved children, 1 John 3:1; Colossians 3:12. If the Savior has adopted us into His forever family, He has already begun to lavish love on us, Ephesians 1:5-6. We have been rescued not from the Island of Misfit Toys but from the Kingdom of darkness and we have become citizens Of His wonderful Kingdom of Light, Colossians 1:13-14; Philippians 3:20. that's only a small sampling of what Jesus has done for us, but I'd like to turn our thoughts in a different direction now.
Even though we are transformed into new creations when we are born anew, John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are still misfits. No, not in Jesus’ eyes, but in the eyes of the world. The definition of a misfit is someone who doesn't fit in. A square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Have you noticed that the more we know Jesus' love and truth, the less we feel a part of the world's thinking? The truth is that we are being changed by the Lord, 2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29. Though those changes might seem to be coming slowly, each one takes us a bit further from what many around us see as good and normal. When we were dead in our sins, we naturally went with the flow of the world's thinking, Ephesians 2:1-3. We used to fit in, but now our actions are often the opposite of what seems good to those around us. Our citizenship has changed; therefore although we are loyal to the country where we reside, we have a greater allegiance to our heavenly home, Hebrews 11:13-16; Philippians 3:20. We want to be good citizens, but if there is a conflict between what the Lord commands and the mandates of an earthly leader, we will choose God's way, Acts 5:27-29. Such choices are hard for many to understand, and our way of thinking often alienates us from those around us, John 15:18-19. Darkness stands in opposition to the light.
So, how do Jesus' misfits live in this world? In 1 Peter 2:11-12, we are challenged to live in such an upright way that those who oppose us will have no charge that truthfully can be leveled against us. In fact, those who don't yet belong to the Lord will someday honor Him because of the way Jesus helped us live before them.
Surely Daniel was a picture of that kind of a life. In Daniel 6:3-5, we read that those who were jealous of Daniel looked for a charge they could level against him concerning unfaithfulness or any lack of integrity in his work. None could be found. He surely was a misfit as they saw it. He was so despised that he ended up in the lions' den. Yet though his enemies plotted against him, how Daniel's life honored the Lord.
At this point, one other thought comes to mind. Even though it is precious to be Jesus' misfit, sometimes, it can be lonely for us. We are so out of step with many around us, even some that we dearly love. Our lives don't have the most precious things in common, and we often feel that void at Christmas.
It is at times like this that it is imperative that we draw close to other believers. We need each other so that we will remain strong and continue to grow in our relationship with Jesus. Whether we can assemble in person or on-line, let's continue to love and encourage one another. Let's continue to pray for each other's family members and friends who don't yet belong to Jesus. Misfits need each other!
Merry Christmas!