For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise,
and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.”
Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:18-31
How many times has the enemy tried to diminish your worth? Have you been called names and belittled because you weren’t the ‘cool’ one, or the ‘pretty’ one, or like everyone else? Have you been made fun of because you weren’t ‘smart’ like those in the ‘in’ crowd? Do you find it hard to communicate like others? Do you stumble over words and concepts? Then according to this scripture you are not alone. In fact, God uses you BECAUSE of your particular weaknesses. So many of the heroes of the faith had REAL issues and weaknesses. Human wisdom can become a very big stumbling block, as can great riches, or large academic status. All those things can easily lead to human pride and the thinking that you are entitled to be ‘above’ others. What God is looking for …is a heart and soul dedicated to Him. God isn’t looking for boasting or bullying. Those are really dangerous in the light of an almighty God.
God actually loves misfits, because He knows He can use them to shame the pride of the human race. Even Paul had a ‘messenger’ from Satan that continually harassed him, and when Paul asked God if that ‘thorn’ could be removed from him, the Lord did not do that for Paul. Why? To keep Paul humble. (2 Corinthians 12) Pride is extremely dangerous to the servant of the Most High. We are never to think more of ourselves than we ought to. Humility is a discipline best kept fresh through repentance. Being very intimate with the Holy Spirit who keeps us very aware of our actions and words that are ‘out of line’, and requires our repentance. Keeping our conscience healthy and vibrant is to be able to ‘hear’ and obey the instructions of the Holy Spirit within our minds and hearts. Are you able to hear the Holy Spirit’s whispers to your soul? I have always desired to hear the audible Voice of God, yet when I asked Him about that — He responded to me with this question, “What level of disconnect with Me would you have to be in — for Me to have to speak to you audibly?” I have had a very intimate connection with the Holy Spirit since I’ve been 14 years old. For me to hear Him audibly something would have to be really desperate happening in my life to the point I wasn’t able to recognize the Holy Spirit’s Voice within me. Something I’ve been keenly aware of for over 50 years. When I feel I can’t hear Him — it’s because of my ‘sin’. Either I’m not listening because I don’t want to do what He has asked me to do, or I’ve allowed my flesh to lead rather than repent and humble myself before Him. Many times when I’ve inquired of Him why He’s not speaking to me, His question has been, “What was the last thing I asked you to do?” A close intimate relationship with Him is definitely not a ‘religious’ exercise.
Misfits understand how important and cherished are real ‘friends’. Because real friends are very rare. This makes choosing the right friends extremely important. This also makes choosing the right ‘mentor’ vital to your true spiritual growth. Most people don’t really have real spiritual leaders who mentor them. Our religious system isn’t made for the scriptural model of elders and mentorship. Our current religious institutional system is made for money and the control of people. If your goal is to be a minister in the institutional system then you will have to become a ‘hireling’ rather than one who only listens to the One Shepherd for his instructions. So most real spiritual leader mentors are not ‘credentialed’ by a human organization or denomination or government. All of those entities only add roadblocks and compromise to the Spirit of God.
So fellow misfit… know you are loved and treasured by God. Understand He wants to use you, and minister through you. Your weaknesses are NOT a hindrance to God. Your weirdness is NOT a detriment to His ability to employ you in His plans. So stay humble before Him and allow His love to permeate you to the deepest levels of your heart and soul.