The Cool Kid
One of the many eye-opening moments in high school was the first time I entered a classroom as an underclassman and realized there were a bunch of seniors in the class too. Talk about a culture shock. I’m worried about forgetting my locker combination, while they’re talking about colleges and/or carburetors. Mostly I kept my head down and tried to stay invisible, which, come to think of it, is how I still function today.
Another young boy sat behind me in such a class, and he was decidedly not invisible. Let’s call him Kevin. Kevin’s haircut was a little “off,” he wore the same T-shirt so often as to be noticeable, and his voice hadn’t fully changed. He was a nice kid, but he may as well have been wearing a sign that said, “If you can only feel big by making others small, I am your target.” Kevin seemed happy and smiled a lot, but I felt sorry for him. My assumption was that he was more outgoing than me because he was too clueless to realize that he should be keeping a low profile.
One day before class an older boy overheard Kevin talking about going to church, and mockingly asked him why he would go to church. Kevin didn’t hesitate and said something along the lines of, “We study the Bible, sing songs, and praise the Lord.” And then he just sat there smiling, completely unfazed. He was in no way confrontational, but his demeanor was almost daring this intimidating older boy to keep asking questions. I think he was hoping for an invitation to keep talking about his church and his God. The older boy, clearly expecting a weak and defensive response, didn’t seem to know what to do and just wandered off.
I haven’t thought of Kevin for a long time, until I read the following:
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 (HCSB)
Kevin’s unflinching, joyful and humble response was remarkable to me as a shy fifteen-year old. I no longer saw him as the kid who didn’t “fit in.” He wasn’t even trying to fit in, because he already had the only community that he really needed. Now that I look back decades later, he was for sure one of the most interesting and coolest kids I met in high school.
This world can be a tough, hard place. As Christians it can feel like we don’t fit in, but we don’t have to be scared or intimidated. We have our community, our church family, and for that we should be thankful.
Let’s take a cue from Kevin. Study the Bible, sing songs, and praise the Lord.
By Mark Stuart
Another young boy sat behind me in such a class, and he was decidedly not invisible. Let’s call him Kevin. Kevin’s haircut was a little “off,” he wore the same T-shirt so often as to be noticeable, and his voice hadn’t fully changed. He was a nice kid, but he may as well have been wearing a sign that said, “If you can only feel big by making others small, I am your target.” Kevin seemed happy and smiled a lot, but I felt sorry for him. My assumption was that he was more outgoing than me because he was too clueless to realize that he should be keeping a low profile.
One day before class an older boy overheard Kevin talking about going to church, and mockingly asked him why he would go to church. Kevin didn’t hesitate and said something along the lines of, “We study the Bible, sing songs, and praise the Lord.” And then he just sat there smiling, completely unfazed. He was in no way confrontational, but his demeanor was almost daring this intimidating older boy to keep asking questions. I think he was hoping for an invitation to keep talking about his church and his God. The older boy, clearly expecting a weak and defensive response, didn’t seem to know what to do and just wandered off.
I haven’t thought of Kevin for a long time, until I read the following:
Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude, praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them those who were being saved. Acts 2:46-47 (HCSB)
Kevin’s unflinching, joyful and humble response was remarkable to me as a shy fifteen-year old. I no longer saw him as the kid who didn’t “fit in.” He wasn’t even trying to fit in, because he already had the only community that he really needed. Now that I look back decades later, he was for sure one of the most interesting and coolest kids I met in high school.
This world can be a tough, hard place. As Christians it can feel like we don’t fit in, but we don’t have to be scared or intimidated. We have our community, our church family, and for that we should be thankful.
Let’s take a cue from Kevin. Study the Bible, sing songs, and praise the Lord.
By Mark Stuart
Recent
Archive
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract