SUPER FREAKY

"You're a freak!" That's like every middle schooler's worst nightmare in a sentence. Even as you get older, I don't think it'd feel too good to be looked at like you're a weirdo, because we all want to fit in somewhere. Yes, even if someone dresses in all black, with off-putting makeup and piercings, that person wants to fit in, too.

I think our desires to fit in with a group, especially when we're younger and more impressionable, come from a deeper need to be loved. Like Beth Moore says, under the desires of our hearts is really the heart of our desires. It's proven everyday. It's usually the ones who aren't loved or encouraged at home who most seek that attention elsewhere. I saw a clip on the news today about the Columbine High School killings. I wonder how different things might have been if the killers' classmates wouldn't have labeled them, 'freaks.' Or if even one of their peers would've reached out to them, despite their differences, and shown love and acceptance.

All too often we, especially as Americans, place importance on looks, economic status, job status, and forfeit getting to know good-hearted people because they don't look like us. I am ashamed to admit that I recently did this myself. I was out to eat at a restaurant when a homeless man came in to ask the server for a glass of water. I felt the strongest urge to invite this man to sit and have a meal with me and just let him know that someone cared for him. I knew this urging was from God, but immediately, my pride stepped in and I thought, 'I can't do that. People will wonder what I'm doing, sitting with this dirty man who is probably on drugs.' And so I let the moment pass. I have no idea how God could've used me to make a difference in that man's life, and for fear of what others might think, I will never know.

I've never been in his exact place, but I've been a 'freak' before. Middle school was a rough time for me, when I was made fun of a lot and didn't always have a true friend to turn to. In college, the choices I made and things I choose not to do set me apart. It's hard when people leave you out or poke fun at you, even good-naturedly. Thank God my confidence and self-worth don't come from what others think of me!

You see, I don't think being a freak is all that much of a bad thing. In fact, Jesus tells us people won't like us because we're different. And you know what? That's okay! Paul writes in Galatians 1:10 "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." That hit me like a ton of bricks. It's so much easier to think that if we make everyone else happy, then we will be happy because they'll like us. But, sometimes it's better to be a 'freak.'

So, I try to live my life devoted to my beliefs. Along the way some will probably think I'm crazy, but what is 'normal' anyway? If you can show me a 'normal' person or a 'normal' family, well, then I'd say there are some skeletons that just haven't come out yet! But, more importantly, who wants to be 'normal?!' To me, normalcy screams of a cookie cutter, average life. No one wants on his tombstone, 'Here lies Mediocre Joe. 1970 - 2020. We don't remember anything else about him because he just blended with the crowd.' Now, that, that would hurt more than not being in the 'in crowd.' So, the next time you're feeling like a 'super-freak,' or judging someone who you think is a 'freak,' just remember...we all are!