I can be so awkward. Like, I’m probably top of the list on the awkwardness charts, if there was such a thing. It’s bad.

I’m super bad at small talk. I’m intimidated by groups of people. I can never tell if someone’s going in for a hug or just wants a handshake. It takes me a long time to open up to people.

And here’s my most awkward characteristic: my face turns beet red without warning when I’m talking to people.

Sometimes my face turns red in response to embarrassment. And that’s pretty normal. 

But sometimes my face turns red for no reason at all. I can feel it happening, which only makes it worse, because once it’s started there’s nothing I can do to stop it. The feeling starts in my chest and works its way up from there. I can sense the warmth spreading, up my neck to my face and my ears and all the way up to my hairline. The warmth turns to heat, and I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that my face is as red as a firetruck.

This happens to me a lot.

For no reason.

The thing is, I think most of us feel awkward from time to time. Or maybe even most of the time. We’re all are a bit awkward in our own ways.

I don’t like the dictionary definitions I found for awkward, because they all focus on the lack of something—according to Merriam-Webster, it’s lacking skill, or expertness, or grace, or something else. But I think awkwardness is more than a lack of something.

Awkwardness is more like our own personal brand. It’s the qualities we possess that are weird and different, that set us apart from those around us. Awkwardness is individualized. Your awkward is unique to you.

Awkwardness is something we have, not something we lack.

And you know, I think as followers of Jesus we’re supposed to be awkward.

Consider Paul’s words in Ephesians 4:22-24: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”

When we decide to follow Jesus, our old selves die and we are made new. Our previous way of life is a thing of the past. We no longer act like the rest of the world. We don’t serve sensuality and instant gratification. We don’t worship the idols of our culture. We are forgiven and we are free.

Don’t you think that looks a little strange to the rest of the world? Don’t you think that looks a little awkward?

I’ll continue with this post next week… but for now, never forget, you are onederfully created in Christ.

Love,
Becca

Read Part 2 here