Sticking out like a sore thumb

I don’t remember where I first heard the phrase: Sticks out like a sore thumb.
I remember getting a cut infected and having a bandage on my thumb that looked like a watermelon. One of our children sucked thumbs, both thumbs.
There was a time when both thumbs were almost raw from the use they were given.


Most of my recollections of “sticking out like a sore thumb” were references to people who just didn’t seem to fit in. Like the time I went to a party wearing blue jeans and others showed up in shirts and ties. Yes, I felt really odd and out of place.
I also had other guys come up and say, “Wish I had worn jeans, Boone.” There may have been times you felt like you were sticking out like a sore thumb.

I think one of the callings for us as followers of Jesus our teacher, example, Master, Savior and Lord, is to stick out like a sore thumb.   He calls us to march to a different drummer from the one playing the tunes our culture marches to. We are called to live a life that presents a clear and compelling vision of what compassion, truth, faithfulness and self-giving are like.  Such a vision guides us all the days of our journey.

Sticking out like a sore thumb is not be easy. We are so into being relevant, user friendly reflections of the world around us. Standing up for what is healthy and right while expressing forgiveness and compassion for others who disagree with us is not a comfortable spot. To stand our ground with sensitivity to the positions of others, to be courageous and humble in the same breath are often times a stretch.

Sticking out like a sore thumb is not a comfortable image of following Jesus. We disciples of Jesus tend to become comfortably settled in our ways. But sticking out like a sore thumb as faithful disciples of Jesus is worth pondering.  It is also worth forming intentional community to support, care for and guide us on the journey.