Life as a “misfit”

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I just had the pleasure of watching one of the season’s most familiar movies with my children, Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.  

Believe it or not, you can actually watch the entire movie online!  http://www.guba.com/watch/3000024620

 
It’s familiar to most  people “my age” (late 30’s).   When I was a kid I couldn’t wait for it’s once a year appearance on TV.  Mind you there were no VCR’s  or DVD players and definitely nothing like Tivo to record shows to watch at will.   This movie has taken on new meaning to me as I’ve grown older.   Bear with me here.   My thoughts tonight have been deep and we ended up having a deep discussion about all of this after the movie was over.  This is a KID’s movie, but it hit home tonight.

Here’s the basic story line: 

“RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER recounts the tale of a shy, young reindeer whose Christmas spirit is dampened because his shiny red nose has made him the laughing stock of all Christmastown. Frustrated by their inability to fit in, Rudolph and his friend Hermey, the Elf who wants to be a dentist, set out on their own. However, they soon find themselves pursued by the Abominable Snowmonster. They flee to the island of Misfit Toys in the Arctic wilderness where Yukon Cornelius, a prospector they meet along the way, comes to their rescue. Returning to Christmastown, they learn that bad weather may cause Christmas to be canceled. But Rudolph’s headlight–his illuminated nose–saves Christmas by serving as a beacon to guide Santa’s sleigh.” 

See Rudolph was born “different.”  His parents were shocked to see his red nose, and they tried to hide it.  They did pretty well until he was old enough to go to “school.”  When it was discovered that he was “different,” he wasn’t allowed to play any of the reindeer games with the other reindeer.  He decides to leave and run away from his problems.   How many times have I tried to run away from my problems?  How many times have I tried to hide what God has given me to be used for his glory?    How many times has our society tried to label kids as being different and categorized them when God has such bigger and better plans?

As Rudolph runs away, he meets up with some other “misfits.”  Oh, they all want to fit in so badly.  Don’t we all?!  Can’t you relate to that inner desire to have the other kids like you?  Or maybe you really want to have friends at work and don’t risk being a “misfit” so you can have things in commong?!  It’s not just kids who struggle.  

I’ve learned it’s not so bad to be a “misfit.”  I’ve always felt different.  God has called me to be different and not conform to this world I’m in.   (”Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  Romans 12:2)  This doesn’t mean that it’s any easier to live my day to day life with this intense desire to fit in, but God has called me to a higher purpose.    Being 6ft tall and wearing a size 10 shoe at age 14 is difficult, but being a GIRL and being that tall, really  makes life complicated. Over time,  I’ve learned to enjoy my height, but I so wanted to “fit in” when I was younger.  I tried so hard.  I would slouch over and try to make myself shorter so I wouldn’t stand out so much in a crowd.  I still struggle with this today, but I can honestly say that I love being tall.  

In the movie, Rudolph realizes that he has to” face his problems” so he goes back.  What he doesn’t realize is that while he had been gone, his parents and a friend had gone out searching for him.    While searching, they had been caught by the monster.   Oh, how convicting…..when I run from my problems instead of facing them head on, I might lead someone else astray.  And my “running away” has greater consequences than just serving to remove me from the pain of the moment.  Can you relate?

In the end, what turned out to be some awful “defect” was used to help Santa on Christmas Eve.  His nose allowed him to guide Santa’s sleigh.  What is my “defect” and how can it be used to point someone to Jesus?  I think one of my defects was a very difficult time period in my life in high school. I don’t like to think of those “low” points in my life and would like to just pretend they never happened, but God has a plan for my life. My future is tied to my past.  I cannot become the person God wants me to be without my history –  my destiny is tied  to my history. 

Here’s a picture for you that I heard described in my Bible Study Monday night.   Keep rowing forward but always looking back.  Don’t live in the past, but realize the past is part of who I am and God will take my history and turn it into my destiny.   What are your “defects?”  How can God use them to draw others to Him?   How are you conforming to the world around you?  What are you going to do to become a “misfit?”  Remember our citizenship is in heaven.  WOW!  Deep stuff from Rudolph, I know, but God is working and moving in my life and tonight He spoke to me through a kid’s movie!

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