Forever Peculiar: A Peculiar People
pe·cu·liar
/pəˈkyo͞olyər/
Adjective
1. strange or odd; unusual.
2. a characteristic of only one person, group, or thing: DISTINCTIVE or different from the usual or normal: SPECIAL, PARTICULAR: ODD, CURIOUS: ECCENTRIC, UNUSUAL.
Noun
1. : something exempt from ordinary.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:”
1 Peter 2:9 KJV
Forever Peculiar: Embracing Rejection
It is challenging to embrace the belief that you are Peculiar when you have spent many years believing you are not. I do not usually like to make generalized statements, but I can confidently stand behind the statement because I have lived it! Rejection fueled my desire to run from my peculiarity- from others and myself. And the rejection I have experienced runs DEEP! So deep that I became the “poster child” for presenting carbon copies of myself. I’ve attempted to find my identity in so many things. My hair, clothes, the friendship circles I tried to enter- the list goes on.
At a very young age, my surroundings taught me that I would only be acknowledged or accepted if I presented myself as people desired me to be. Therefore, the rejection I experienced kept me in a cycle of “survival mode,” which caused me to believe that I had to adapt to my environment. Throughout my teenage years, I also experienced bullying, which negatively impacted my self-esteem. So, the thought or idea that I was “special, chosen, and peculiar” took me some time to fully embrace. However, God has a fantastic way of taking our past pain and using it as the genesis of a beautifully orchestrated journey of love, trust, and acceptance. Forever Peculiar was born out of the years of rejection that I experienced.
Let’s take it back to 2016; I was 23 years old, had recently dedicated my life to Christ, and was completely LOST. So, I attempted to find my identity in being the “ Perfect Christian.” Or at least how culture defines a Christian. At first, that looked like me emulating my favorite spiritual leaders and speakers. I also attempted to make friends at my new church, and that experience was utterly unsuccessful. A DEAD mission! I thought, “Dang, not even church people will accept me! There must be something wrong with me! Will I ever fit in?” However, it was the story of my life, as I was no stranger to rejection.
Uncovering Purpose: The Birth of Forever Peculiar
As I previously mentioned, rejection had become such a natural part of my experience that I began questioning my life’s worth and value. A year into my journey as a new Christian, my self-esteem was completely diminished. I will never forget the day I watched a sermon in which a minister shared that he consistently prayed for God to reveal to him his identity. That sermon inspired me to do the same. So, I began praying for two things: for God to reveal my identity and for Him to help me love myself the way He loves me. Halfway through the year of that prayer, Forever Peculiar was born.
I remember sitting on my queen-sized bed in a tiny bedroom in my mom’s house. I was doing my daily devotional, and on that particular day, I was led to read 1 Peter 2:9. Then I came across a word in that verse that really intrigued me: Peculiar. For some reason, that word stood out to me. But I didn’t understand why, initially. All I knew was that I could not stop researching until I had a complete understanding of the word.
A few days later, I heard God say to start a blog. And I freaked out, you all! I started listing all the reasons why I wasn’t capable or good enough, but God remained consistent in His gentle yet firm reminder that His strength is made perfect in my weakness. It all became clear as I began writing blog posts and sharing my stories. The years of rejection, although painful, were being used for God’s glory. He showed me that being rejected by people made me accepted by Him.
Embracing Your Peculiarity
Jesus was also no stranger to rejection. The Bible describes him as “ordinary”; nothing made Him stand out from the crowd. Yet, He possessed an extraordinarily peculiar gift that made Him stand out. So, now, let's bring this revelation closer to home. What talents, gifts, characteristics, or skills do you possess that make you peculiar? We all possess something that makes us peculiar! Something that causes us to stand out without effort.
If you are still determining what makes you, peculiar. I will encourage you to pray the same prayer I prayed for a year.
Ask God to reveal His plan for your life while studying Jeremiah 29:11 NIV.
Ask God to increase your love for yourself by showing you why he loves you. Look at Psalms 139:13-17 NLT and Ephesians 2:10 ESV.
I guarantee that He will give you answers that will blow your mind! As you have read, I am speaking from experience to let you know he did it for me. He turned an insecure, people-pleasing, timid, and fearful girl into a blossoming, bold woman. Don’t get me wrong; I still have some hurts and hang-ups that He is helping me through. However, I’ve embraced that I am Peculiar and have learned that I will make my life experiences less painful if I stop running from who God has created me to be. It took me a while to love and appreciate all I am and embrace who I am slowly becoming. I’ve learned to shine without effort in hopes that my light will inspire others, such as yourself, to do the same.
So, as you come along on this journey with me, I pray that you will embrace your Peculiarity. That you won’t shrink or continue to hide who you are. I pray that you will be given the boldness to break free from the insecurities of your past and the strength to endure the process of becoming all that God desires you to be. If you have breath in your body, it’s not too late to discover and walk in your God-given purpose. You are FOREVER Peculiar.
With Love,
Riva
SALVATION
I’d like to believe that everyone who reads this blog has a personal relationship with Jesus, but if you have yet to make it official and just so happened to stumble upon this blog, know that you can establish that relationship and receive all of His Awesome Promises in a few easy steps.
Pray (speak out loud with your mouth) the Salvation Prayer based on the scripture listed below.
Connect to a local church to further your walk and build community.
Read Your Bible as often as possible. Click here to gain ideas on helpful scriptures and Bible plans to read.
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
ROMAN 10:9-11
Prayer
LORD JESUS, I CONFESS MY SINS AND ASK FOR YOUR FORGIVENESS. I BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD AND DIED ON THE CROSS FOR ME AND THEN ROSE IN THREE DAYS. PLEASE COME INTO MY HEART AS MY LORD AND SAVIOR. TAKE COMPLETE CONTROL OF MY LIFE AND HELP ME TO WALK IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS DAILY BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT. THANK YOU, LORD, FOR SAVING ME AND FOR ANSWERING MY PRAYER. IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.
