Black Sheep

"I tell you the truth," [Jesus] continued, "no prophet is accepted in his hometown." (Luke 4:24 NIV)

I have grown to accept, even like, the notion that if I were a sheep, I would definitely be black. Or maybe brown or dark gray. Make me purple; it would only drive my point home: I am different. In my family, I have always stood out for going against the grain. I feel like I do not fit into my community because I have always felt a tug to leave it. I thought I was just being a rebellious teenager when the thought first occurred to me to leave, but that thought has not left for fifteen years. For some reason, though, I am still here. Even my spiritual gifts and the call I feel God has placed on my life scares me because it is so...different. It is different from those around me and it is also different from what I could ever imagine for myself.

I take personal comfort in this particular verse, knowing that my Savior was not even loved or accepted by everyone. I know that the life of Jesus is peppered with rejection and people who misunderstood or refused to believe him. But in this statement, in his own words, he wears it as a badge of honor. I know that even in rejection I am in great company. I am reminded that I am not here to please people, but to serve Jesus, to worship God and to spread the Gospel by word or deed to those around me. Rejection, the feeling of being different or not fitting in, is part of being human. I take comfort in that Jesus faced these same hurts, but still was steadfast and undeterred in his purpose and mission.

God, I ask that you remind me who I am serving. Help me to remember that people will misunderstand and reject the truth, but I am to remain faithful to You alone. Strengthen me to deal with those that oppose Your Word, and soften my heart to accept Your Word. Amen.

Nikki Hamsher