Fitting In

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Have you ever felt like you don't fit in?  If you have, then good!  If we are followers of Christ and His truth, then we shouldn't fit in.

Christ said in John 18:36, “My kingdom is not of this world” (KJV throughout).  This world should rub us the wrong way, like a pair of new shoes that are too tight. If we feel comfortable in this world, like we are wearing a pair of old shoes, then something is wrong.

My personal experiences

Growing up in the Church I always felt a little different. In elementary school I was the kid alone in the library while the class had a Christmas party.  I was the kid who brought huge Matzos in my lunch at certain times of the year. I was proud of my Matzo and would gladly tell anyone who asked about Moses and the Days of Unleavened Bread!  

I never played sports in school because the games were mainly on Friday nights. But I also remember I didn't mind being different!  Christ was different and I didn't mind being different like Him.

High school was about the same.   It seemed I really never fit in to any of the groups of what some may have thought were the "”cool kids”.  I got along better with the teachers and enjoyed spending spare time with them more than hanging out with the kids my own age.  

Thankfully I did have one “shining light” my freshman year.  I walked into one of my classes and there was someone from church in my class! I was so excited!  For once  I wasn't the only strange one who kept the Sabbath, didn't eat the pepperoni pizza, and who left the school for two weeks after we just got started with a new year. 

Now as an adult I still find times when I don't fit in.  I can be at the park with other moms that complain about their kids, husbands and life in general and I feel out of place.  I hear people talk about how important their jobs are, making money and the stuff they own, and I cannot relate.  I don’t feel I am any better than they are; it's just that things that are important to me are not always what’s important to others around me. So again, I don't fit in.

But I am thankful I do not.  Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. If I ever get to a point in my life where I feel like I am comfortable in this world, then I need to stop and pray and work on my spiritual life.  

Recognizing the god of this world

There is only one place we should worry about fitting in and that’s the Kingdom of God.1 Corinthians 6:9 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?” And 2 Corinthians 4:4 reminds us about the god of this world:“In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them”.

The god of this world is Satan. He has blinded so many people and has them thinking about things that are not of God.  He creates a school environment where our children cannot hear the Word of God.  He fills our minds with terrible movies and music and calls it entertainment. He tells people they have the right to make choices that go against the laws of God.

So if you feel at times like you don’t fit in...good!  Don’t compromise your beliefs; don’t try to fit into this world. You are not weird or strange if you are different. You belong to God, a loving Father who wants you to fit in to His Kingdom.  That’s all that really matters!

To learn more about how Satan has shaped this world, request our free Bible study aid Is There Really a Devil?

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Comments

  • hockey_grrrl
    Great article. What is ironic (or not) is that in the Kingdom of God, Christ's followers will be the ones fitting right in; and everyone who insists on following the world's ways, will not! I always remember this when I feel left out or lonely.
  • Lena VanAusdle
    @Julia Ann, I don't know if you made it to services this past weekend, but I hope that you were able to. For the instances that you aren't able to travel that distance we do offer a webcast service from various locations around the US (for time zone purposes). There is no substitute for gathering together with others for the Sabbath, but sickness, etc. can be a factor and participating in a service remotely can be very uplifting. http://www.ucg.org/sabbath-webcast/ http://phoenix-east.ucg.org/content/sabbath-webcast http://north-canton.ucg.org/content/local-webcast
  • KARS
    Hi macnana, Sometimes it's just easier to follow the easier way of life. God's way goes opposite of the world and it's societies thinking. They have a party additude with selfishness. To live God our Father's way takes faith, courage, and wanted to be just like Him. When we except His ways to learn to love as He loves it will not be easy. Since when is something good worth fighting for; easy? Your not alone. There are those of us that gave up the wild life of party all night, selfishness, greed, vanity, etc.; to follow God's Ten Commandments and His way of life. You need to tell yourself; Am I ready to take on the challenge of being a light in this world? A light that follows the word of God and His way of life. It is a lifetime commitment.
  • Julia Ann
    @Lena Thank you,I did try to find a church near me..but the nearest is 90 miles away..I am tempted to travel that distance..and possibly will this Sabbath. God bless
  • Lena VanAusdle
    @Julia Ann, I am sure it is very difficult to give up fellowshipping with others, but it is wonderful that you are coming to understand the truth about the Sabbath and what God expects of us. There are a number of United Church of God congregations around the world, perhaps one is near you and you could find others to fellowship with, you can find the nearest congregation here: http://www.ucg.org/congregations.
  • Lena VanAusdle
    @Bathel, you should read the study aid, "Heaven and Hell: What Does the Bible Really Teach" (http://www.ucg.org/booklet/heaven-and-hell-what-does-bible-really-teach/)? Your zeal for the Sabbath is admirable, but perhaps this can help your understanding.
  • Julia Ann
    Thank you so much for your witness..I am feeling very left out because I had to stop going to my Lutheran church. I recently became aware of the Lutheran church I attend breaks 2 of the Ten Commandments, the second and the fourth. I now spend Saturday worshipping my Creator and removed all images from my home that were considered idols..I feel like God is happy with me now, but I don't have any church to attend to praise Him on the Sabbath. Thanks again for your post.
  • Tholp1
    Tina, I felt like you did in High School and College. I was made fun of in college when I told people I followed the Old Testament. I told my friends I don' eat pork and shelf fish the, reaction was ":Yuk, you don't know what you're missing." My answer "you don't know what you should be missing."
  • mwfooshecpa
    Tina, what a wonderful article! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. Your approach to this topic is refreshing and I know will be very encouraging to all who read this. I would add 1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you." and 1 John 3:13-14 "Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death." Your article reminds me of what is important when something I hear or say makes perfect sense to me, but then I find that what I speak or hear as obvious truth is not or can not be perceived by others because they are blind to spiritual things. Again, thank you for taking the time to write the article and may God bless you and your family for your effort!
  • Joshua Infantado
    Very NICE blog.:)
  • Ahumble1
    Amen!
  • Ursula
    Your article is awesome..I can so relate to not fitting in. I am an adult but the feeling is still teh same as a child who feels set aside because something is different. I think sometimes people may think that my attitude is "i am better" .. but is so not that.. I do not fit in becasue I know better.
  • bathel
    God may bless you Self also facing lot of problems from my pastor or priest when talking about the truth. They are not ready to accept the Biblical truth. I have been trying my best to inculcate this Sabbath truth Millions of people are goings to hell as they are following man made rules .
  • macnana
    I know the Bible is true and i also believe in God. But what i don't understand is why does people just ignore and not believe in the Bible. Where i am i believe that i also don't fit in the society where i lived. All this is a result of peer pressure. If you don't dance to the rhythm of their song, they say a whole lot of things to you. But as Peter said in Act 5:29 "We must obey God as ruler rather than men" so why do i want to be deceived by their words.
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