War on Cliques

Cliques. They are everywhere we go; people seem to tend to stay with those they are comfortable with, and reject those who don't fit the mold.

This is especially hard for someone like me, who doesn't fit ANY mold. A lot of that is due to the fact that I purposely distance myself from everyone, which establishes my quirkiness and individuality. At school I don't usually walk up to people, even my friends, and start conversations. Its difficult for me. I'm getting better, but for sure its hard! To fill my time, I find it more productive to think and pray and center myself instead of talk about the prettiest gals or the newest internet sensation. 

When you DO engage me in conversation, you'll find I have an easy speech, meaning everything is lighthearted and I'm quick to think of witty responses. I rock back and forth on my feet, and wave my hands around. When I walk past windows, I stare out them and smile, sometimes pausing long enough to stare into the deep blue and ponder something. I rotate my shoulders often, to loosen them up, and I bounce on my toes when I'm ready to go. I raise my hand often in class, am quick to help the teachers out if they make a mistake on the board, but do my best to do so respectfully. I hold doors open for people, which confounds them... American society has lost its idea of chilvary. I bought someone a donut for a dollar the other day and they were ecstatic... where has the love in this world gone?

See, I'm outcast from EVERY clique, forever doomed to be a drifter. I hang out with rednecks, gamers, nerds, Christians, emos... everyone but the popular kids it seems. It is that much harder for me to connect with those who seem to have it all. But regardless, all cliques have an especial love for their own 'kind' and not enough love for those they don't deem fit. And I want to break down those barriers. 

I consider myself a pretty easy-going, chill guy who just loves Jesus. People accept me as such, but neither do I have deep friendships in the school community (with a FEW exceptions). Cliques caused me extreme depression and hurt when I was younger, and even today, I often feel lonely. I cannot sit long with people at lunch because conversations just don't glorify Jesus. I'll walk the halls, in a circle, and get strange looks, but who cares? I just turn on my Jesus tunes and think. Introspection has become huge for me. 

Cliques are found in the church, too. And this is where my war against unfriendliness is at its fiercest. Being one of the oldest youth who actually goes to most events, I am handed responsibility often. I am trying to learn everyone's names, learn about their lives, and get them connected with those they don't already know. I act goofy when I need to - people find it easier to relate to and connect with a crazy guy - and I act seriously when I need to - people often need someone to listen to them, because once again, chilvary has left our society and we don't know what its like to sit long enough to hear someone out.

Why do I say all this? Because it is SO prevalent in today's society. The DRAMA, oh my goodness. People friend and unfriend, well, whomever, these days and then get upset when those others don't respect them. Cliques are extremely prevalent online. For goodness sake, don't friend those who tear you down! Get rid of social media all together! I am left here, with my Jesus mop, trying to clean up the shattered mess of a heart while the criminal just walks away. And THIS is what being Jesus is, or at least a facet of it: chilvary. Its NOT just paying for a meal or opening a door. Its not even an idea limited to males. Chilvary is living it like Jesus.

I have my motto, and I KNOW most of you have seen it. #LiveItLikeJesus. Live. To go about life in a way that is not only breathing, but fulfilling our PURPOSE for life: to glorify God. If we don't love, we aren't living, but we are alive. Make sense? It. Sure, its kind of vague, but 'it' can mean anything; work, sports, school, clubs, ministry, even something as simple as family dinners. Like. To emulate something in such a way that the two are indistinguishable. You will not be able to tell the two apart. Jesus. The Author and Perfecter of our faith, the I Am, the Son of God, the Lamb, and our Lover. Whatever name He takes, He is still the same infinite God. 

Cliques begin existence when chilvary ceases to exist. When we love, it should be unconditional. It should be extended to all, not just some, and cover all. Love covers a multitude of sins; not that it shoves them under a plush carpet, but that it forgives AND forgets. Isn't it frustrating when someone forgives you, but then brings up the same incident later as a way empower themselves over you? Our God does not gloat like this, because He LOVES. By loving those around us, we'll form a unity between us ALL, not a unity among some. We're always told to engage those in society who are alone and look down, and we should. But we should also engage those in society who are different from us; differences between humans do NOT mean that grace hasn't been extended to them as well! Jesus died for all, so stop living like He has only died for those you enjoy the company of!

Jesus had His 12, which was His tight group of friends. Don't be afraid to grow deep relationships with those you are tight with, and don't think you need to go deep with everyone. Jesus calls us to love all; to be friendly, not to be friends. Loving INCLUDES telling the truth, which is hard in our society based around acceptance. Accept those who are gay. No, we are called to LOVE those who are gay... this means telling them the truth of their error in a kind and uncondemning way. When the time comes, let Jesus guide you through that situation. But don't sit in your happy complacency, knowing that there are others out there who need the hope you have! Get up! Show Jesus in all you do, from the way you handle taxes to the way you drive your car! Live it like Jesus; glorify your God by emulating Him! Copying is the greatest form of flattery, right? So #LiveItLikeJesus!