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MARGINAL THOUGHTS Life lived on the margins of society is rarely by choice. People are there because they are a variation from the norm and nobody wants to deal with that. Of Webster’s variety of definitions, one says that margin is “a degree of difference”. That’s as good as any because it doesn’t pass judgment. Most great preachers appear to come from ordinary backgrounds and situations. That’s the norm. Many of the greatest of the greats though, the ones who God uses in spectacular ways to get the job done, seem to be selected from the margins. Society’s rejects becoming God’s putty. What about in ancient days? To name only a few, Rahab who’s lifestyle would expel her out the door of many churches in a flash, the widow of Zarepheth who was a destitute heathen outside of the preferred fold and in an unattractive situation, the unlikely Huldah working as a tailor on the other side of town, Joseph discarded as no good by his own brothers, and David the youngest son of Jesse who was left out on the hillsides while the older brothers were favored for Samuel’s blessing. You get the drift. Likewise in the New Testament we find Mary Magdalene the unlikely sinner transformed to a life of worth, the unknown Philemon who established a church in his home and was likely martyred for it, the humble Phoebe who was surely used in far more influential ways than the Scriptures record, Peter the burly fisherman who would have been doomed to a life of mediocrity, and the ever unpopular Paul with the difficult personality who became the living example of a Christ-changed life. Marginal people used in anointed capacities. The modern day variants go from one end of the spectrum to the other, and rather than list them, I think you’re capable of making up your own list. What they are are a variety of marginal people all used in rare and powerful ways by the Holy Spirit, each setting the world on fire, changing the status quo. If you’ve never really fit in, if you’re a marginal person, chances are that God may well be better able to use you more than anyone around you. You’re as putty in His hands. There’s no question that Jesus sought out those who were marginalized. If He were physically here right now, you could look for Him at the bus station, or in the prison yard, or downtown at the local gay bar, or at the bedside of a sickly boy left for dead. If that shocks you, you need to read the Bible with new eyes. In Luke 15:1 Jesus surrounds Himself with the despised tax collectors and blatant sinners. The people of the margins were Jesus’ companions, His confidants. They still are. Normal is a good thing, but marginal might be even better. |
