By Misty Ann
Why try to “fit in” when you were born to “stand out?” I am not speaking about standing out in a weird or outlandish kind of way. That would make you strange or unusual. Unusual in a way that is altogether surprising, unsettling or hard to understand. I am actually talking about standing out in a positive way. A way that says, I don’t follow the norm just because everyone else is doing so. Standing out in a way that says I understand my purpose in life and why I am here. Finally, standing out in a way that leads others to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and helps them to realize that they are truly a beautiful human being called to unique as well.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”
You see, we live in a modern day culture where everything points us to follow suit. To blend in. To not rock the boat. To be different in a strange kind of way. To draw negative rather than positive attention to ourselves and to allow other’s way of doing things to lead or steer us in the wrong direction. Before we know it, we have gone too far and are no longer seen or valued by others. This then causes us to feel isolated or alienated, therefore losing sight of our purpose and the fact that the Lord has made everything beautiful in its time.
Once we realize that we have been made by God the Father, truly beautiful and in the image of Christ, we no longer have to worry about “fitting in,” or being seen as outwardly beautiful, belonging to the ways and customs of our current culture and worldly system. We can begin to look for the ways in which the Lord has called and equipped us to “stand out.” Beautiful according to His making.
We must keep in mind and remember that Christ’s economy or view of seeing things is an upside down or inverted way of picturing the world. This pushes against everything we are naturally taught. The only way to view ourselves is to see ourselves through the lens in which Christ does. He values us. He loves us and He thinks that we are the greatest thing the Father ever made. When we do see ourselves the way He does, we naturally “stand out” in a good kind of way rather than just “fit in.” It gets old, tiresome and boring and before you know it, you have wasted so many years. Ineffectiveness sets in and you are no longer making a difference in your sphere of influence. You have become stagnant.
It is not until our eyes have been truly opened, that we then realize we have been born and made uniquely different for a purpose. Recognizing our purpose then allows us to flourish for God. Flourishing for God draws others unto ourselves in an altogether different kind of way. People are drawn to Christ naturally by seeing Him live and move through us. Beauty is then no longer superficial or on the surface but rather deep, truly remarkable and touching on a soulish level. So, let’s all try and “stand out” rather than “fit in.” Our hearts will be uplifted and we will truly see ourselves as Christ sees us and that is beautiful beyond measure.
Hello, my name is Misty Ann. Welcome to my little space on the web. I am a daughter of the King of all Kings, Wife to Richard, Mommy to Reagan (10 years), Kylee (8 years), and Karis Delaney (5 years). I am a teacher by trade, an encourager and up-lifter by calling and a writer by practice. I enjoy being a friend to those who will have me.
I understood from early adulthood and beyond that I would never fit in. The Lord helped me to realize that He called me to stand out and because of this, I am forever grateful and at peace with how He has made me and who He has made me to be.
I will offer You my grateful heart, for I am Your unique creation, filled with wonder and awe. You have approached even the smallest details with excellence; Your works are wonderful: I carry this knowledge deep within my sou. “(Psalm 139:14 –The Voice)
Just A Little More About Me…
My family and I live just outside the Austin, Texas area. I homeschool all three of my children and teach Reading for a private college in the Master’s/Credentialing program. I stay busy and enjoy the hobbies of Reading, Writing, Scrapbooking and Running.
As a family, we attend Hill Country Bible Church. We enjoy traveling and take “family fieldtrips” often. All of life is an adventure and we are thankful for every life lesson that the Lord teaches us in the process.
I would love for you to join me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, or goodreads.