I wait for the Lord , my soul waits, and in his word I hope; – Psalms 130:5 ESV
My daughter is watching the classic Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer this morning. It’s a tale about this peculiar reindeer who is shunned by those around him because he is different. They don’t see his unique nose as a gift but as a curse. A peculiar little elf that wants to be a dentist joins him and they wonder, “Why am I such a misfit?”
There are times in our lives where we may ask ourselves, why am I like this? Why can’t I be more like ________? Or we might ask ourselves, why am I failing at this?
There are a few problems with this direction of thinking that will cause us trouble. First off, we aren’t trusting that God has a special purpose, even in our uniqueness.Second, we aren’t waiting with wonder at how the Lord might use even our being “different” or our being “weak” or or being “imperfect” to, bring glory and honor to Him in the testimony of our life. And third, we can fall into the desire of the eyes (covetousness, envy, and jealousy) and the pride of life (shame and condemnation) when we are truly the Children of God, set free by the Blood of the Lamb, those who are more than conquerers in Christ Jesus.
You say, “But it’s hard to believe it when I can’t yet see the evidence in my life.” And I say, cast off your doubts and rest in the Word of God. Meditate upon the Word of God and seek His face in prayer. Wait upon the Lord because He is the only one that is faithful and true and worthy of all praise. He will use your imperfections, your peculiar ways for something amazing that will confound the “wise”, the “normal”, the “common” man – but you are set aside for a special purpose, for His Holy use.
Rudolf and Hermit have to make it through their adventures and find an island of broken toys before their greater purpose begins to be realized. There are people out there that the Lord can use your testimony to reach that those “common” vessels could never reach. You are unique, you are a peculiar people, you are precious to the Lord.
Remember this as you are waiting. Remember this when the storm comes. Remember where your strength comes from and your unique story might just provide the light that leads others to safety, to joy, to Christ.
Harold J. Ballinger 