My peculiar MKs

Something that people centuries ago faced and something you and I face, a struggle that seems to be common in the lives on MKs... The fight to "fit in".

"Fit in"
Definition : be suited to, belong.
Synonyms: be a member, be allied to, be associated with, be classified among, be included in,
be one of, be part of, have a place.

Meet George, my imaginary MK friend. George serves with his family in Argentina. They have been on the field for three years, and they are now going home for furlough. George is 13 years old and has really changed alot during their last term. He is excited to be reunited with family, yet he is sick with worry that his friends will no longer remember him or want to spend time with him. As soon as they land in the US, he becomes consumed with watching teenagers, studying their expressions, and learning their words and phrases. As soon as possible, he begs his parents for money and shops for the clothes that look most like the teenagers he's seen. When with other teenagers, he's quiet, because he doesn't' want to say the wrong thing. He makes a few superficial friends, he looks like a cool teenager, yet he doesn't have the fellowship he longs for.

All George desires is to fit in, to be included, to have a place. He feels odd and uncomfortable. He isn't Argentinean, yet he no longer feels American. The more he imitates and mimics the American teen, the more he feels fake, like he's just playing pretend.

Fog swirls, the vapor clears.... we're now out of my imagination...

Aren't we all like George in some way? We just want to belong! But, can I tell you something? Nowhere in the Bible are we asked to fit in. Quite to the contrary, we are commanded to stand out! God calls us to be a peculiar people. (Deut. 14:2)

I like these definitions of peculiar: strange, uncommon, distinctive in nature or character from others, belonging exclusively to some person, group or thing.

This is God's desire and plan for you! To stand out.

As Christians, we're supposed to look differently, talk differently, and think differently. As MKs, we're privileged to do all those things and a little more because we have another culture in our life.

When you feel frustrated because you don't fit in, be comforted in the fact the you fit in with God. He's your very best friend and to Him you never look weird, act funny, or talk strange. He understands when you can't verbalize what you're feeling. He knows your motives when others misunderstand.

God wants you to be His peculiar MK. And remember, when you feel lonely, that is God's call to fellowship.