Standing Out

I do not like to stand out. I do not like having all of the attention on me. I show up early so as to avoid all the turning heads you get when you walk in late. I do not like talking in front of people knowing every eye is on me. I want to blend in. I want to be just another person in the crowd.

I am white. That fact alone means there is no blending in. I stand out. And for the most part I have become used to it here. But honestly, there are times where it really bothers me. 

Today during our VBS in a local community, there were a couple kids who were trying to get my attention, kids who already knew my name.

 “Ou, Ou. Blan!”  Blan is what everyone calls a white person. 

I walked over and again said, “Mwen rele Andrea!” and then helped them with what they needed.

As we drove home, the kids along the side of the rode gave us big smiles and waved as they yelled blan. I smile and wave back. And usually I enjoy that. But today, I was just tired of being different. I was tired of standing out. I was tired of all of the stares.

My next thoughts were I am looking forward to going home where I dont have to be different anymore. But then as the Holy Spirit does, I heard, “Arent you supposed to stand out wherever you are?” Isn’t there supposed to be a noticeable difference in the things you say and do? Aren’t you always “a stranger in this land” This world is not your home. Shouldn't your joy, grace, compassion, love, and forgiveness cause you to stand out in the crowd?

We are supposed to be lights and what stands out more than a light in a dark room?

1 Peter 2:9-12  But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.