For the woman who feels left out at church: A Story of Being Seen

Have you ever looked around at church and thought, “I don’t fit in here.”  Or maybe you've been flat out excluded from a church-y social circle?  It hurts.  In one of those moments, the Bible story of the blind man comforted me.

The Blind Man Sees Christ (John 9:1-38)

The blind man healed by Christ was quite literally an eye witness to Christ’s power.  Even when those in his faith community question him he does not deny his experience, boldly proclaiming “I was blind, but now I see.”  (John 9:25)  His faith in Christ was not the problem in this story.  

The problem was his church community.

They, quite simply, rejected him.  Even though his miraculous testimony absolutely warranted an honored place at the table, they judged him and excluded him.  His parents were worried this would happen, and that it would happen to them by extension, which is why they deferred to their son when the church neighbors pressed them to explain their child’s healing.  It seems the community was unable to shake the mistaken idea that his previous blindness was a result of either his, or his parents, sin.  

Ultimately, the scriptures record, “They threw him out.”  Out of the synagogue community, which was a terrible, ostracizing, blow.  (John 9:34, New International Version)  

It (Still) Happens

Some of us may know the pain of feeling “thrown out” at church all too well.  Even in loving church communities there are times where we just don’t click with others.  Or we may be “thrown out” of a calling that we weren’t ready to be released from.  Or a toxic culture has developed in a ward that just can’t quite be overcome. 

Christ Sees the Blind Man

Christ certainly empathized because the scriptures say, “Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when He found him….”  (John 9:35 NIV) In other words, when Jesus heard that the man wasn’t fitting in, He went looking for him.  He sought him out.  

The physical healing was done and the once-blind man boldly witnessed Christ.  One could say Christ’s work with him was complete, but Christ deemed the pain of social rejection worthy of a second visit. 

Don’t you love that?  Christ deemed the pain of social rejection worthy of a SECOND visit.

He didn't say "He has a testimony already, the social stuff is really not that big a deal." Nor did Christ lecture the rejected man saying "What's wrong with you for even caring that they rejected you? Just don't be so offended."

No.

Christ sees the pain of social rejection as legitimately worthy of His attention and healing presence. This goes for the middle school girl being gossiped about in Young Womens, the missionary who doesn't fit in with her district, the Relief Society sister who sits alone, and the trans woman who can't help but notice that although every eye in the sacrament hall has looked at her, nobody has smiled her way.

Christ is seeking you out.

And I’m thankful He seeks me out.  Whether I’m quite literally out pacing in the hall or I’ve withdrawn only into my own wounded heart... I’m glad to know He’s looking.  

Have you felt socially “thrown out” at church?  Do you feel stuck in that hurt?  Therapy can help you metabolize that experience so you can move forward.

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