Loving the Misfits - Martin Wiles

Then he (Jesus) added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’” Matthew 9:13 NLT

Carrying a flag, Jeffrey walked the streets of our city.

At one time, seeing a homeless person in our small town was odd. Then Jeffrey showed up. His long hair and scruffy beard waved in the wind, like the flag he carried. I thought he must have landed here from some far-away state. Then I learned from a friend—whose church he had visited—that he lived in the next town over. Because of drug use—and the resulting mental issues—his family had disowned him. 

Occasionally, Jeffery disappeared. Usually because he had been arrested for some minor infraction. After a few weeks, he would reappear, only to disappear again. Once, the authorities arrested him for threatening firemen. He thought they had stolen his bicycle—another of his prized possessions, along with his flag and shopping cart. 

My wife and I saw Jeffrey often since he adopted the street corner two blocks from our subdivision. Recently, he stood there in the dark, wearing dark clothes and dancing to the music only he could hear. We’ve also witnessed him cursing the cross planted on the corner where someone was hit and killed. And cursing the “Sidewalk Closed” sign when the road crew was repairing the road. His antics are comical—yet sad. 

On several occasions, people have tried to help Jeffrey. One paid for him to spend time in a nearby city’s rehab facility to get cleaned up from drugs. Perhaps it worked for a while, but his later antics demonstrated that the demons had overtaken his life again. 

When I see Jeffrey, I wonder how Jesus would respond to him. The religious leaders were good at obeying the letter of the law, but Jesus reminded them there was more. He wanted to see mercy—the mercy he showed to the Jeffreys of his world. 

I can imagine Jesus sitting and conversing with Jeffrey, questioning him about his beliefs and what brought him to this point in his life. I can imagine him offering him something to eat or a place to stay. I can also see him giving Jeffrey the freedom to make his own life choices. Whatever Jesus would do, it would be tainted with mercy. He loved the world’s misfits—and we should too. 

When you see those the world terms misfits, love them as Jesus would.

Father, give me a heart of love for those who need to experience your love. 

If you seek hope and healing because of hurts you have faced, then Hurt, Hope, and Healing is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

An Army of Misfits - Martin Wiles

So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.  Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 1 Samuel 22:1-2 NLT

What others might consider an army of misfits, God often considers just-right fits.

After my father retired from full-time preaching, he served as an interim pastor for a small church on the lake. Once a thriving church, it now fought to survive. Dad tried to get them to take their eyes off their situation and focus outwardly. If the church grew, many of its problems would disappear.

At Dad’s behest, the church reached out. They ordered door hangers and placed them on houses in the community, inviting all to come. When the church called a new pastor, the preparatory work had been done. He picked up where Dad left off and continued going into the community, inviting all.

And people from all walks of life began to come. Most of them from the wrong side of the tracks. People with sordid backgrounds and questionable lifestyles. The people in the church found the people in their community were quite different, but they didn’t let that stop them. They loved them and took them in. Soon, the church became the fastest-growing church in the local association. But it was a church of misfits—at least according to many.

Jesus also tended to invite those considered misfits to follow him. His twelve disciples weren’t who others might have picked to change the world: fishermen, a tax collector, and other societal outcasts. Nor were those who collected around David as he ran from King Saul’s attempts to kill him. But they became a great army. And those twelve disciples initiated a world revival.

Thinking God can’t use us because we have sordid backgrounds or because we’ve endured unfortunate circumstances in the present is the Devil’s ploy. If he can convince us, he will keep us from being productive.

God, on the other hand, has good plans for us. We were created in his image, and nothing we’ve experienced—or are experiencing—can hinder his work unless we let it. Confession, repentance, and trust wipe the slate clean.

God loves to use those the world considers misfits because when great things are accomplished through them, he gets the credit. And after all, shining the spotlight on God is what life is about.

Don’t let others—or Satan—convince you God can’t use you. All God requires is your willingness.

Father, I thank you that my past doesn’t hinder you from using me in your Kingdom’s work. 

I invite you to try my book Hurt, Hope, and Healing in eBook or paperback. If you seek hope and healing because of the hurts you have faced, this book is for you. Click on the title above to order your copy. And thanks to all our faithful followers who share our posts on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.

An Army of Misfits - Martin Wiles

So David left Gath and escaped to the cave of Adullam. Soon his brothers and all his other relatives joined him there.  Then others began coming—men who were in trouble or in debt or who were just discontented—until David was the captain of about 400 men. 1 Samuel 22:1-2 NLT

What others consider misfits, God often considers fits.

My father served as interim pastor for a small, struggling church after he retired. Once a thriving church on the local lake, it now struggled to survive. Dad tried to get them to take their eyes off their situation and focus outwardly. If the church grew, many of their problems would disappear.

At Dad’s behest, the church began reaching out. They ordered door hangers and placed them on houses in the community, inviting any and everyone who would come…planting seeds. When the church called a new pastor, the preparatory work had been done. He picked up where Dad left off and continued going into the community, inviting all.

People from all walks of life began to come. Most of them from the wrong side of the tracks. People who had sordid backgrounds and lived questionable lifestyles. The people in the church found the people in their community were quite different, but they didn’t let that stop them. They loved them and took them in. Soon, the church became the fastest growing church in the local association. But it was a church of misfits—at least according to many.

Jesus also had a tendency to invite those to follow Him who were considered misfits. His twelve disciples weren’t who others might have picked to change the world: fishermen, a tax collector, and who knows what else. Nor were those who collected around David as he ran from King Saul’s attempts to kill him. But they became a great army. And those twelve disciples initiated a world revival.

Thinking God can’t use me because I have a sordid background or because I’m enduring unfortunate circumstances in the present is the Devil’s ploy. If he can convince you, he will keep you unproductive. God, on the other hand, has good plans for us. We were created in His image, and nothing we’ve experienced—or are experiencing, can hinder His work unless we let it. Confession, repentance, and trust wipe the slate clean.

God loves to use those the world considers misfits because when great things are accomplished through them He gets the credit. And after all, shining the spotlight on God is what life is about.

Don’t let others—or Satan, convince you God can’t use you. All God requires is your willingness.

Prayer: Father, we thank You that our pasts don’t hinder You from using us in Your Kingdom’s work. 

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