Dido Elizabeth Belle, (watch movie clip) was the illegitimate mixed race daughter of Admiral Sir John Lindsay. Raised by her aristocratic great-uncle Lord Mansfield and his wife, Belle’s lineage entitled her certain privileges, yet the color of her skin was unacceptable to the prejudicial class separation of her day.
Although very privileged indeed as she got older the reality of looking in from the outside began to impact her. The aristocracy looked upon her with deep disdain along with constant controversy. While watching the movie I could not help to think about how others like Belle at one time or another have been treated as the unacceptable outsider whether from society, organizations, a group of friends or a loved one.
Anne Graham Lotz describes it well, “Have you ever felt that you just didn’t belong anywhere? Maybe you’ve been displaced because of a natural disaster, or a divorce, eviction or termination from your job. If you married into a different race, or nationality, or culture, or language, economic strata, or educational level, you may suddenly have discovered you are now living your life on the periphery of your family or friends… or your spouse’s family and friends. It’s uncomfortable when your world has been turned upside down in the blink of an eye.”
Because we’ve all been deeply wounded by others it’s understandable that some make the choice to slowly disconnect from churches, groups or relationships that used to matter. They intentionally or unintentionally isolate themselves with a distorted perspective. They can easily rationalize their self-imposed loneliness because the world is so utterly unfair and people can’t be trusted. Yet, in the midst of our seasons of justified isolation God seeks us out. Why?
Because God is not an elitist!
He associates not only with those who appear to be part of an inner circle, but with those who have been made to feel they are on the outside. Think how despised and rejected the gentiles and the half breed Samaritans were to the Jews.
God intimately knows and understands our stories. The Bible is full of stories about how God’s love is broad enough to draw in those who are treated as outsiders. God wants more in His house.
The bottom line is that life is hard and everyone is wounded.
So what? What can we do? Join us next time to find out how our wounds can wound others, but there is always hope and redemption. Don’t miss the next blog.
