The girl in the hand-me-down clothes. The one who had unmanageable hair. The kid who was awkwardly shy. The short girl with mismatched socks. The lefty in a world made for the right handed. The toddler who could take care of her own medication-with oversight of course. The family who always had just enough-no more, no less-in a world that began requiring everyone to have an extra bit of this or that.
In short, I grew up being the outcast. In elementary school, I was the one who was picked on. I was the teacher's pet. I always got along with the parents around me better than the kids. Add in a crippling shyness, as well as insecurity that ran deeper than anyone knew, it was an almost deadly combo. I often not only found myself being put on the outside, but also became the master of putting myself on the outside and reassuring myself that I didn't need anyone.
In comes John 3:17. Not the ever so popular verse before it, but one that's often over looked, thought to be a lesser verse. I mean, after all, the preceding verse wraps up the Christian walk in a pretty little bow...what could follow that. In case you're wondering, the next verse reads "For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." It's in this verse that I found comfort. I found hope. I found peace.
Now, instead of seeking acceptance, approval and a place to fit in around me, I can look above me. Yes, verse 16 speaks the truth that God loved me so much that He sacrificed His only Son, but it's in verse 17 that I learned why. He was moved to reunite us because of His great love for me, but He wanted to give me a place in Him. A place I could belong, a place I could serve Him without fear of anyone else's judgment.
In short, I grew up being the outcast. In elementary school, I was the one who was picked on. I was the teacher's pet. I always got along with the parents around me better than the kids. Add in a crippling shyness, as well as insecurity that ran deeper than anyone knew, it was an almost deadly combo. I often not only found myself being put on the outside, but also became the master of putting myself on the outside and reassuring myself that I didn't need anyone.
In comes John 3:17. Not the ever so popular verse before it, but one that's often over looked, thought to be a lesser verse. I mean, after all, the preceding verse wraps up the Christian walk in a pretty little bow...what could follow that. In case you're wondering, the next verse reads "For God did not send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." It's in this verse that I found comfort. I found hope. I found peace.
Now, instead of seeking acceptance, approval and a place to fit in around me, I can look above me. Yes, verse 16 speaks the truth that God loved me so much that He sacrificed His only Son, but it's in verse 17 that I learned why. He was moved to reunite us because of His great love for me, but He wanted to give me a place in Him. A place I could belong, a place I could serve Him without fear of anyone else's judgment.
