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He was slightly different from the others. From the beginning, he stood apart from the others. Distinct.

Rudolph the red nosed reindeer. Had a very shiny nose.

That particular difference became the source of much teasing. He never did feel much like the others. Wasn’t even sure that he would ever find a place to fit in, to be accepted for who he was. Just the way he was.

All of the other reindeer, used to laugh and call him names. They never let poor Rudolph, join in any reindeer games.

He was always on the outside, looking in. Yet never able to enjoy the activities with the others. For he was different. Set apart.

If you remember the story, he finds himself in a strange place – The Island of the Misfit Toys. It was a land of exile for all the broken toys. For the ones that were different. The toys which were thought would never, or could never, bring joy to children.

It is there, while in exile, that Rudolph discovers his worth, the purpose to which he was always created.

Then one foggy Christmas Eve.

Often in life, we can be much like Rudolph. Placed in obscurity. Moses found himself, there as did Joseph and Paul and others in Scripture. Perhaps it is when we find ourselves visiting “the island of misfit toys”, we discover the very reason we have been positioned here in life.

For it was there, Rudolph found he was most needed. He had been positioned for a task that he, and he alone, was equipped to do.

Rudolph with your nose so bright, won’t you guide my sleigh tonight?

The source of his shame and embarrassment was the very thing would become the source of blessing for so many. His shiny nose was the distinction he had been provided so that he could fulfill his purpose.

Here are three lessons I learned from Rudolph lately:

  • God created us to be different. In reading 1 Corinthians 12, He purposely created us differently so that nothing would be lacking in the church. When we negate or omit or overlook some, we are hurting the cause for which we are in community. Interestingly, Paul states, “On the contrary, parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable.” (1 Corinthians 12:22).
  • Comparison is a killer. Again from Paul. we are told, “When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise.” (2 Corinthians 10:12b).
  • We are trained in obscurity for the tasks we will do publicly. Obscurity is painful. But perhaps, it is the very place that we are trained to handle those times we are visible. Obscurity helps us to keep a proper perspective of ourselves. More so, we learn valuable lessons in the dark that remain engraved in our hearts forever. For it is there that we learn, like Rudolph, to embrace those traits that make us different. It is then we know the purpose for which we have been called.

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Today I am joining these other blogs … Tell His Story and Imperfect Prose and Wed. Prayer Girls and Wordless Wed. and A Little R & R and Wordless Wed. and Doing You Well and Winsome Wed. and Wholehearted Wed. and Works For Me Wed. and Three Word Wed. and Wedded Wed. .