An Outsider's View

Being an outsider means you're not an insider.  

An insider gets the jokes; an insider gets the trades; an insider is in the know. But there are no outsider jokes--the joke's on them--and they know it. 

I was once an insider, but now I am an outsider.

I did not grow up in Bartow, Cobb, Paulding, or Polk County. Before we started this church re-plant in Cartersville, I had never heard of Euharlee, Taylorsville, Atco or Stilesboro.  I thought Dallas was in Texas and Hiram was something you did when you needed help. Emerson was a 19^th century poet; and the Indian Mounds were found in Cleveland where the Indians play baseball.

But there are some advantages to being an outsider. 

1. An outsider has fewer preconceived ideas about people because they aren't privy to which last names are more important than others and which last names are seen more frequently in the Arrest Log. 

2. An outsider can sometimes see and smell things to which the insider has grown accustomed. 

3. An outsider can get away with saying, "I didn't know!"--and say it with complete integrity:)  

4. An outsider's  perspective can help us see that something is not quite right. An insider will say, "Well, that's just the way it is around here--it's something you'll get used to." Or, "Mr. Smith--he's always been a mean old cuss--you'll learn how to stay out of his way." The outsider can say, "You know, it doesn't have to be that way. There are other viable options."

I don't know how long I'll be an outsider, but I hope that I will be able to maintain the objectivity of an outsider and the courage of an insider. 

If you're an outsider, you're in good company. Jesus was an outsider. Lean into your outsider-ness and see what you can learn.

If you're an insider, you're in good company. Jesus was also an insider who was looking for outsiders so he could invite them in.  As my good friend, mentor, Youth Pastor Emeritus, John Hobbs used to say: "Cliques are OK...as long as everybody has one."

Three Orr's and an Oar

It was just a small, rainy season water hole that sits on the edge of Tracie's parent's property.

It was just a small flat bottom fishing boat that held three Orr's and one oar.

But in the imagination of a nine year-old, oar wielding Orr, it was a massive lake infested with whales, alligators and sea monsters-- not to mention bacteria with names like giardia and e-coli. So with the skill of a seasoned captain, Harrisen navigated the coastline dotted with mysterious ports named Chickamauga and Senoia. All the while he kept his vessel from being capsized by his fearless first mate, Sawyer, who would rather rock the boat instead of rowing the boat;  and he expertly dodged my mud bombs launched from the bank. 

It may not have looked like much to the uninitiated adventurer, but...

Sometimes we fail to see the potential for adventure. The uninitiated adventurer would only have seen a mud hole and an out-of-place boat. But sometimes you have to use your imagination--no, I take that back--you always have to use your imagination when you're on an adventure!

When you don't know how to get un-stuck, you have to engage your imagination.
When you don't know how to talk with that difficult person about that difficult thing, you have to power up your imagination.
When you're bored, frustrated, overwhelmed or ready to quit, you have to ignite your imagination. 

Imagine a new way!

Adventures are not found where the cruise ships dock; adventures are found in places that you can slip a flat bottom boat.