We all have them, even if they merely exist on the fringes of our lives – those who seem to discern the rhythm of life much differently than we do, if they discern it at all. Their lifestyles stand in contrast to our own, often abrasively colliding with our reasoning, our priorities, our sense of direction, our values, or our chosen behaviors. We are much more comfortable with "sameness" and "togetherness." The irregular people in our lives stand apart from us. They, or our responses to them, can create misunderstanding, irritation, anger, emotional voids, unmet expectations, and even spiritual dryness. Scripture does not avoid mentioning irregular people. It abounds with vivid illustrations of men like Saul who forced David to live as a fugitive because of his jealousy and rage, a hypocritical Judas, an impulsive Peter, Hannah’s rival who provoked her bitterly just to irritate her, the pompous Haman who sought to destroy a nation, the deceptive brothers of Joseph who sold him into slavery.

 

Bluntly speaking, according to Romans 12, we have two choices in response to our irregular people. We can bless them or curse them. If we give a blessing, we seek the other’s good and leave the revenge with God. When we curse, we seek harm and take our own revenge. There are other insights and exhortations that come out of the same chapter. We can try to understand the feelings and the emotions of our irregular people. We can stop presenting ourselves as superior, recognizing that "different" does not always create a lesser and a better. Learn to enjoy ordinary people – you are probably quite ordinary yourself. Look for the good within the relationship. Even with irregulars, collecting "happy memories" or journaling positive attributes can go a long way in smoothing out the wrinkles in a relationship. And the responsibility is ours to be at peace with others "so far as it depends on us." The concept recognizes that some relationships will not be "ideal relationships," but acceptance and forgiveness must still be given, and our responses governed by our singular Audience of One.

 

Christ Himself was, and still is, misunderstood, ridiculed, offended, rejected, and void of the love and affection of untold millions. His response??? He willingly, sacrificially, and with a heart that loves beyond comprehension – died for them. Each of us has known what it is to be one of the irregulars that has stood apart from God. His Son sets an example for us that He only asks us to imitate in part.