Every Generation Needs Peculiar People

Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Titus 2: 12-14 KJV

I just attended a conference with over 800 peculiar people! Peculiar is a word we don’t use anymore to describe someone, especially in a positive way. However, I thought about the King James Version’s use of peculiar to describe this group of people.

Connie and I attended the IMB Emeritus Missionary Conference. Listening to the stories, watching the interaction of people, and focusing on their passion for God; peculiar just seemed to fit the group. They are people who deeply care about the nations.  The dictionary definition of peculiar is “unusual or eccentric; strange; odd. Standing apart from others; calling for special consideration or attention; distinct and particular.” (American Heritage Dictionary)

They are peculiar when you think about how they left their homeland for another country. Peculiar in how they accepted assignments in difficult places. Peculiar in how they gave up the chance to achieve financial success. Each person there chose a lifestyle considered peculiar in our world today. During one of the sessions, a new group of missionaries joined the ranks of emeritus missionaries. Together they served a combined 1750 years or, put another way, One Millennium, Seven Centuries, and Five Decades.

This is a lot of years of conversations, interactions, and frustrations, but joyful service in many different languages, cultures, and situations seeking to help others understand when Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“Jesus didn’t say that any particular ethic, doctrine, or religion was the way, the truth, and the life. He said that he was. He didn’t say that it was by believing or doing anything in particular that you would “come to the Father.” He said that it was only by him—by living, participating in, being caught up by the way of life that he embodied, that was his way.” –Frederick Buechner

This group of peculiar people that we shared time with understood the challenges facing the world today. They fully grasp the reality and truth of John 8:12 and the difference Jesus makes in our world. The billions who live in the world daily without Jesus and the billions who live in the world daily with Jesus, all live in the same chaotic world. It is a world where injustice still impacts people, violence causes unrest and lack of peace and physical and spiritual hunger abound along with heightened mistrust of others.

Jesus spent a lot of time teaching about the Kingdom and helping us live a Kingdom-focused life. Jesus’ mission was to move people out of darkness into the light. His strategy was simple: “Follow me.” As we follow Jesus we avoid the darkness and can walk on his well-lit pathway. Those walking in darkness are constantly bumping into objects – objects of hatred, violence, and philosophical hopelessness.  For those of us who walk in the light of Jesus, we see the path ahead allowing us to avoid many of the pitfalls.

Dallas Willard, commenting on John 8:12 wrote, “Another important way of putting this is to say that I am learning from Jesus to live my life as he would live my life if he were I. I am not necessarily learning to do everything he did, but I am learning how to do everything I do in the manner that he did all that he did.”

CeCe Winans song, Believe For It might be a great theme song for peculiar people. The words of the song sum up well how peculiar people look at the world.  People who understand what it will take to change the world.

They say this mountain can’t be moved

They say these chains will never break

But they don’t know You like we do

There is power in Your name

We’ve heard that there is no way through

We’ve heard the tide will never change

They haven’t seen what You can do

There is power in Your name

So much power in Your name

Move the unmovable

Break the unbreakable

God we believe

God we believe for it    (CeCe Winans – Believe For It Lyrics | Lyrics.com)

Peculiar people will probably not win any popularity contests. Peculiar people will most definitely stand out in the crowd.  Yet it will be peculiar people that will move mountains, change the course of nations, break chains and impact the world.

For thou art a holy people unto the LORD they God, and the LORD hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Deuteronomy 14:2 KJV

Every generation has needed some peculiar people. Could this be the time to bring this old KJV word back into common usage? Our nation, our world, desperately needs some praying, godly peculiar people. How about you?

God is great,