“Give GOD Your Weird”

In God, whose word I praise; In God I have put my trust; I shall not fear. What can mere man do to me? Psalm 56:4 AMP

Awkward as all get out — that’s the current status here. I think it’s that purgatory kind of place between having gone from the shock and devastation of new norms and lifestyle habits, to not really knowing where to go next or how to properly behave in public. Am I alone here in this place?

The Christ-following woman may be all over the place with this — she’s homeschooling her young ones while possibly working remotely from her external job. Stretched to the limit, she still finds the time to laugh, smile and let some of that messy stuff on the floor just sit there for an extra day or two. She’s got that messy bun topped on her head and she’s been living in her sweats for days, but she keeps her head up (it helps to maintain her crown and that messy bun) because she knows that royalty walks upright even in the face of weird.

Let’s face it, Sister, the unbelieving world just doesn’t sing the same tune you’re humming while you maintain your grace in the grocery stores standing 6-feet apart from the customer in front of you. Co-workers can’t go there with your hope for a bright future in the workplace returning and reopening with being greeted by a thermometer as daily protocols.

But because of who we (you and I) are in Christ, we go there … and we are considered weird.

And do not be conformed to this world [any long with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you. may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. Romans 12:2 AMP

Yes and Amen — that’s in my heart of hearts; but it doesn’t always flow through and show itself evident in my daily behavior. I must admit feeling weird at times, searching for a comfort zone (if you will) in this new way of living. Maybe it’s something that will happen over time after an adaptation period — maybe it’s to be reckoned with getting into a new groove or routine. Whatever it is, it’s calling on every ounce of me to not feel weird and awkward.

The ancients of faith must have felt some weird-ness in their day. Abram being called out to leave the comforts of middle-class living to an unknown foreign land to do the unknown and foreign things. Noah building an ark (of all things) when rain was not even in the dictionary or vocabulary at the time. Moses called out to lead and get in the face of the most powerful ruler in the known world to do the unknown and unthinkable. Brings my heart to its knees just to consider what insurmountable strength this must have required. And yet, they persevered and pursued and persisted — while they prayed.

Let your mind wander for a moment, Sister, at what that may have looked like in their time, in their seasons. If you’re anything like me, I’m left red-faced at the occasional minute complaints and grumblings I exhibit at my minuscule moments of so-called trials and tribulations.

As I ponder over the heroes of the faith, I can’t help but wonder at the spiritual strength and fortitude that the Holy Spirit poured over them. These godly individuals were as human as you and I, born with all the same frailties and weaknesses and imperfections. But they allowed for the stirrings of GOD to overcome their shortcomings and gave it all to Him when called upon to rise up and move. They gave Him their weird.

Fast forward to this chaos that we call our world, it’s no small wonder that we are in search of human perfection. We seek and desire control — of our lives, the lives of others and the circumstances around us. And to bring it to a boil, we desire to have instant results and gratification of our efforts. Any remote chance that our ancients of faith would regard this as slightly weird?

We are not wanting to subject ourselves to the process — the journey — of being transformed into who GOD would have us become. I’m sure our heroes of the faith would lovingly encourage us to press on because the time here on earth is so brief in comparison to eternity. And I’m almost certain that throughout their own individual journeys they felt tremendous weirdness in the midst of ridicule and hostility. Sounds synonymous to our modern day toxic work environment.

Girlfriend, can we get real for a moment here, and accept that we are weird in the face of a world driven on wanting to put GOD in a box and on a shelf to call upon Him on their terms? Will you agree with me that to place it all out there on the table in confident trust in the GOD of all creation that we will be cared for beyond our wildest imagination if we stay true to His Commands to obedience? Are you open to the possibilities to what He will call upon you to do, not seeing the end of your journey in sight nor the fruits of your labor around the corner?

It’s a weird way to live, I agree. But we are not of this world, and neither were those who went before us.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us — Hebrews 12:1 AMP

Will you join me in casting off the unnecessary burdens that weigh us down: fear of failure and rejection, fear of not living up to human standards of acceptance, fear of losing one’s place in society ranking and elevated workplace titles, fear of not attaining possessions or possibly losing possessions … this list is endless, add your own _____________________________, ______________________________, _____________________?

Are you courageous enough to boldly say you are weak (and depend on His Strength) and weird (not of this world) yet willing to forge ahead into an unknown future with the known GOD orchestrating your every step?

Let’s go, Sister, but remember, we travel lightly — pack your faith.

I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~

LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary