In what’s known as the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 of the Bible, Jesus makes some radical claims about who would be blessed. Blessed are the poor in spirit, blessed are they who mourn, blessed are the meek, blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, blessed are the merciful. These are just a few. Here and throughout the entire Bible, Jesus repeatedly gives worth and value to “the least of these.” He takes what/who we think is “less” and elevates it/them to “more.”
Author Brant Hansen echoes the message of Jesus in his latest book, “Blessed are the Misfits.” With high functioning Asperger’s syndrome, Hansen is an admitted skeptic – confused by so much of the “normal” human (and church-crowd) behavior. He confesses to feeling little emotion, dislikes making eye contact because it distracts him from being able to focus on words, and is an introvert by nature. Unsure of himself and of his abilities, he’s open and honest about being different – a misfit.
Who does Hansen include in his circle of misfits? “Blessed are the Misfits” sums it up in its subtitle: Great News for Believers Who are Introverts, Spiritual Strugglers, or Just Feel Like They’re Missing Something. Well, in short – you and me. We’re all misfits in some way or another. Are you a Christian who still struggles with the same sin tendencies? Are you a Christian who longs to hear from God but have never had one of those “God voice” moments? Think you’re somehow less of a Christian because you doubt your faith or doubt that God is actually, really with you?
Hansen reminds us we’re not alone in this. As a Christian we are all out of place, away from our real, eternal home and awkwardly doing our best with our limited knowledge of God and unique abilities during this waiting period. If you’re yearning for something more in your faith, he says this is a good thing. You’re a bride waiting on your groom who has not come back for you yet. (To the men: don’t be freaked out by this metaphor. Read Hansen’s explanation of the metaphor in Chapter 2 and you’ll grow very comfortable in being the Bride of Christ – in a way that doesn’t take away your manly macho.)
Though Hansen shares a great number of personal stories with us (some that give you insight into why he is who he is and some that just make you laugh), this book is not about Hansen. It’s about Jesus – the Jesus of the Bible. Many of us have limited God and shrunk him down to fit our mind’s logical capabilities, and as a result we’ve limited our beliefs about who He is and what He can do with us. Hansen calls out our misbeliefs (because he’s had them too) and points us toward scriptural truth – who God really is and not just who we think He is.
Like his last book, “Unoffendable,” Hansen offers us a quirky, conversational writing style which allows the reader several opportunities for silent agreements of “Huh, I never thought of it like that.” This is not a long or in-depth study and more of a weekend type of read. His short (average 10 pages each) chapters will allow you to swallow a chapter here and there in your moments of free time – though I wanted to keep reading the whole book. I have a feeling you will too – fellow blessed misfit.
-Joel D. Walton