[message_box type=”note” icon=”yes” close=”Close”]It’s an absolute joy to introduce a dear friend, Pastor Subi on this blog. He pastors Tabernacle of Prayer in Mumbai. You can connect with him on www.pastorsubi.com. Leave a comment behind and let us know how this post blessed you.[/message_box]
I have decided to follow Jesus, I have decided to follow Jesus,
I have decided to follow Jesus,
No turning back,
No turning back.
Remember this song? This is a song through which we pledge that we will be faithful to the cross, disconnect from the world and all that. But somewhere along the way, we miss the mark. We end up following a new standard of ‘success’.
We try hard to fit in; to be accepted. We want to give up the ‘world’ yet we try to hold on to some ‘Christian’ aspect of it. We try so hard! We end up chasing ‘cool’.
So often, we find people who want to be part of an ‘it‘ church. The cool one. The ‘in with the crowd’ church. Part of a church that has awesome worship, celebrity worship leaders, own iPhone app and valet parking. Or even leaders chasing the successful, cool and affluent members.
While none of these features are inherently wrong, and can be used by good people to do good things, identifying with these as factors that determine the success or choice of your church is erroneous.
What’s cool for one person is uncool for the other.
What’s cool for one generation is uncool for the other.
What’s cool for Subi, may be uncool for an SRK.
What’s cool for an SRK may be uncool for a Michael Jackson
What’s cool for a Jackson may be uncool for an Elvis Presley.
To be a little more spiritual,
What’s cool for a T. D. Jakes, may be uncool for a Benny Hinn.
What’s cool for a Benny Hinn, may be uncool for a Todd Bentley.
There was one man who stood against this system of cool – Jesus Christ.
They were ok with him being a prophet, but Jesus said I am the Messiah.
They were ok with him being a healer, but Jesus said I am the Messiah.
He took on the system; head on.
Look at what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4:10, “We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonoured!”
Misfits are people who do not fit into the world around them as other people do. They are a little different. There is something unique about misfits, because they look at the world differently. They have different belief systems and values and most of all, they are not afraid to be different!
Our world and our society dislike misfits because they do not know what to do with them because the world likes people who fit into culture and society!
1 Corinthians 4 goes on to say in verses 12 and 13 “12When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; 13when slandered, we entreat. We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things”
Jesus’ favourite people in the world were not cool. They were mostly sinners, misfits, outcasts, weirdoes (yes, you read it right!), poor people, sick people, and crazy people. The woman with the issue of blood, Mathew the tax collector, blind Barthemeus; these were definitely not candidates to win the popularity polls.
I want to be part of a people that share the reputation of Jesus.
Yes, give me some off key worship, some unexpected goof ups and some errors that make me look more human; more real. These are things that tell me that all this does not stop a ‘move of God’ or from God showing up.
This is what I hear God saying. He is raising a generation that looks like the refuse of the earth, but is filled with power and anointing. Their eyes are set on Jesus, not on distractions. They are called the ‘Messiah’s Misfit Generation’ and I encourage you to be a part of it. Not identifying with societal norms but looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith!
Are you part of it?
Thank you Pastor Subi for this timeless reminder!