The Outcasts and the Weirdos

This morning I re-watched an “old” episode of Ask Jordan (Blimey Cow). It’s called “7 Tips For High School.” I watched this video when Jordan released it last October and it really made me think. When I watched it again this morning I knew what to expect, but the message really hit me hard again. If you haven’t watched this video then I suggest that you do that before continue to read this post.

Jordan has some really good pointers for high-schoolers throughout the video, but the last one hit me the hardest. Tip number seven is, in other words, to be friends with the outcasts. It’s a good pointer in and of itself. It’s so important to be friends to people that are called “weird” or “troubled” because you have no idea what’s going on in their lives, and if you do know then that’s all the more reason to be friends with them. Again, the tip was good, but the true story that Jordan told to illustrate it was powerful.

Jordan tells a story about this guy he knew when he was in high school. This guy was considered weird and was very troubled. If you haven’t heard this story then I beg you to check out the video I linked to. Jordan, obviously, tells this story much better then I can. The whole story showcases how invaluable relationships with the outcasts can be. It can save a persons life.

I read through the comment section of the video and stumbled upon a comment made by someone who was struggling with depression. In their comment they thanked Jordan for reminding people that the outcasts are often the people that need friends the most. Another person responded, who had struggled with depression in the past, and the two went back and forth encouraging one another. The second person shared this Bible verse:

1 Peter 5:10

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

I think it’s neat how they were so encouraging to one another. It made me smile. 🙂

I think these comments and Jordan’s video, really opened my eyes this morning. I’ve always known that their are struggling, hurting, broken, “weird” people out there, but I haven’t come across many in my life. Now, as I look closer, I see that it’s not just the people from broken families who are struggling just to live each day that need friends. Everyone is in need of a friend. Maybe I don’t know many people who are outcasts, but I do know many people who are made fun of and laughed at, for simply being who they are. Not weirdos, but just their own self.

So many people are made fun of because they aren’t like everyone else. I know that it’s wrong, but do I do anything about it? Sometimes the answer, for me, is no. Today, and in the future, I want the answer to be yes.