odd man out

My pastor was teaching about the faith-filled life of Noah last Sunday and he used the phrase "odd man out" to describe Noah.  Something about those words resonated with me and I thought to myself, "I know how that feels."  God called Noah to be THAT PERSON who built an ark (there's something you don't see every day!) in preparation for rain which had never been seen on the earth to that time. I can imagine Noah's friends and neighbors, and probably even his family, shaking their heads as they watched him being obedient to God's call on his life.  Noah was one person who made a huge difference in the world by being faithful to God, but I bet he felt like the odd man out during all those years when the ark was under construction.

I really dislike feeling like the odd man out, but it happens more often than I would like to admit. God has called me to speak words of life and to deeply love the people around me.  Yep, I stick out like a sore thumb.  I often feel like I'm living in a foreign country and I don't speak the language.  I've tried to fit in, and I've failed.  Over and over again, I return to being the Dawn that God created.  The girl who speaks words of love and encouragement and life and doesn't understand sarcasm.  The girl who continues to love even when her feelings get hurt and the fear of rejection looms.

I am THAT PERSON.  You are THAT PERSON if you will choose to be obedient to the call of God on your life.  I choose to be the Dawn that God made and to put to use the gifts that He gave me.  I choose to make a world of difference in my tiny little corner of the world, even if it means that I'm the odd man out.