God’s misfits
And he also wanted to reveal his abundant glory, which was poured out on us who are the objects of his mercy, those of us whom he has prepared to receive his glory. For we are the people he called, not only from among the Jews but also from among the Gentiles. This is what he says in the book of Hosea:
‘The people who were not mine
I will call “My People”.’
(verses 23-25a)
Read Romans 9:19-33
People who spent their childhood years living in different countries often suffer from what I will term Missionary Kid Syndrome. Their parents can eventually return to a place they call home. Not so for those who suffer from MKS. They don’t really know where they belong. Culturally and socially they are misfits. They lack a clear national identity.
As a Christian you are a misfit. You are in the world but no longer of the world. There is, however, a fundamental difference between this and the schizophrenic existence of the missionary kid. God has absolutely no doubt as to your identity. Though you were once estranged from God, he calls you his own in baptism. That remains so wherever you go. You are forever a citizen of heaven, an object of his mercy, a child of the living God!
Heavenly Father, whenever I am confused as to my identity, remind me that I belong to you through Jesus your Son. Amen.
by Simon Cooper, in ‘Renewed Hope for each Day’ (LCA, Openbook, 2000)
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