When I was about 5 years old I heard my oldest sister, Isabel, remark, “Mom, why does Larry always have that look like he’s on the outside looking in?”
The wisdom of Isabel’s question, far beyond her age, has been the story of my life. Now keep in mind that I know from experience it’s better to be on the outside looking in wishing you were in, than the reverse!
For most of my life I have not been considered a part of the “in crowd,” no matter the circumstances. And over the years I have learned that many people have had the same inner feeling or lack of the sense of acceptance by the group. It really hasn’t bothered me for years.
And yet, a few days ago while writing the article for the day, I noticed a quote from Ethel Waters. Coming from a life of extreme poverty to a true entertainment star and later a fixture in Billy Graham’s ministry. Despite everything, even to knowing God’s eye is on the sparrow, Ethel penned this revealing statement:
“I never felt I belonged. I was always an outsider.” Ethel Waters.
The feeling expressed by Sister Waters identifies a longing in more than a few of the specimens of Adam’s fallen race.
As a Christian, I learned that by trusting several passages of scripture, while the human feeling may be true of people, places and things, the fact that trumps this feeling is the assurance that I really do “belong” to Jesus and that in His place I am certain to feel at home, at long last. Note the power of this verse from Paul’s pen:
“to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6. (Bolded for emphasis).
Concerning the faithful of the O.T. note this insightful passage:
Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.”
Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Uptodate IT work. Oral Deckard
The wisdom of Isabel’s question, far beyond her age, has been the story of my life. Now keep in mind that I know from experience it’s better to be on the outside looking in wishing you were in, than the reverse!
For most of my life I have not been considered a part of the “in crowd,” no matter the circumstances. And over the years I have learned that many people have had the same inner feeling or lack of the sense of acceptance by the group. It really hasn’t bothered me for years.
And yet, a few days ago while writing the article for the day, I noticed a quote from Ethel Waters. Coming from a life of extreme poverty to a true entertainment star and later a fixture in Billy Graham’s ministry. Despite everything, even to knowing God’s eye is on the sparrow, Ethel penned this revealing statement:
“I never felt I belonged. I was always an outsider.” Ethel Waters.
The feeling expressed by Sister Waters identifies a longing in more than a few of the specimens of Adam’s fallen race.
As a Christian, I learned that by trusting several passages of scripture, while the human feeling may be true of people, places and things, the fact that trumps this feeling is the assurance that I really do “belong” to Jesus and that in His place I am certain to feel at home, at long last. Note the power of this verse from Paul’s pen:
“to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.” Ephesians 1:6. (Bolded for emphasis).
Concerning the faithful of the O.T. note this insightful passage:
Hebrews 11:13, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland.”
Copyright © 2017 Larry Lilly
Uptodate IT work. Oral Deckard
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