Occasionally you run across a book that resonates and really articulates a thought pattern you have experienced in the past. Blessed are the Misfits by Brant Hansen is one of these reads. Because he is autistic, Brant comes to his personal life and faith conclusions uniquely. His processing of personal faith through the lens of a “misfit” applies to the many of us who feel we are spiritual misfits – who also see things through a unique lens, right? Could Jesus have fit in any less with the Jewish religious stars?
Here is one of my favorite Brant insights: “Jesus’ disciples ask Him to teach them to pray – 25 seconds.” 25 seconds! In such ways Brant draws us to look deeper – to view the “Lord’s Prayer” as the opening of a door that culminates in “praying without ceasing.” We also encounter the concept that there are so many who are “evangelical failures” (not to mention those of us who struggle within our denominationalism.) Are we excluded when we don’t fit – or are we even closer to the Kingdom of God?
Here are a few of my favorite quotes from Misfits:
(page 17) “We don’t need to wallow in guilt. We need to stay faithful. We are waiting, and waiting is hard, but the waiting will end. That’s the promise. There is going to be a wedding.”
“It’s too easy to live my life in reaction (to not fitting in to church people). Yes, I can easily craft a false narrative about how awful others are and how much better than them I am, but it excuses me from the hard work of forgiveness and patience. I know I don’t fit in. But I also know I am supposed to love people, even those who will never understand me and don’t even want to.” (page 33).
I love his honesty: (page 37) “…I know what I would want to ask (Jesus),,,if I could choke out one question, I’d want to ask this: Am I a fraud? Please tell me I am not. Please tell me You’re proud of me. Please tell me you know I struggle, but no, I’m not a fraud at all. I’d love to hear it.”
Blessed are the wounded – page 87: “As important as our childhoods are, childhood is a relatively short time, a relatively long time ago.” It’s not who we are anymore. Yes, childhood is formative, but for the humble, childhood is not the only formative period. We grow up. We keep learning. We resolve not to repeat the mistakes of our parents, and all of our parents have made mistakes. We can even be thankful (and I am) for what we’ve endured. The mess can make for something beautiful.”
While 70% of us think we rate above average, there are still plenty of misfits Jesus has chosen to bless with truth and peace. Seriously.
We think you’ll enjoy this book!
Dave and Burnadette