In the body of Christ, there exists a beautiful tapestry of believers whose stories defy every stereotype of what a Christian "should" look like. These are the ones who have walked through the darkest valleys, lived the most rebellious lives, and experienced the most radical transformations. They are the former witches and warlocks, the ex-satanists, those who have taken lives, the heavily tattooed, and countless others who don't fit the traditional mold of Christianity.
I have a special place in my heart for these believers because I am one of them. My past is marked by darkness, rebellion, and shame that once seemed insurmountable. Yet here I stand, not despite my past, but because of how God has used it to shape me into who He called me to be.
Jesus himself addressed this beautiful truth in Luke 7:41-43, when He told the parable of two debtors: "A certain creditor had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?" Simon answered and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave more." And He said to him, "You have rightly judged."
This parable reveals a profound truth about the Kingdom of God. Those who have been forgiven much, love much. And as verse 47 continues: "Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little."
It's often those who have experienced the deepest darkness who burn brightest for the Kingdom. When Jesus chases you down in the midst of your rebellion, when He pulls you from the pit of despair and transforms your heart completely, there's a gratitude and passion that emerges that cannot be contained.
These believers understand grace in a way that shakes the foundations of religious comfort. They know what it means to be dead in sin and made alive in Christ. Their testimonies aren't neat and tidy – they're raw, real, and powerful. They carry the scars of their past not as badges of shame, but as reminders of God's incredible mercy.
The Church needs these voices. We need the former gang member who now preaches with authority about redemption. We need the ex-addict who ministers to those still trapped in addiction. We need the heavily tattooed believer who can reach people that traditional ministry might never touch. We need those who have walked through hell and can guide others toward heaven.
God doesn't call the qualified – He qualifies the called. And often, He chooses the most unlikely candidates to do His greatest work. The apostle Paul was a murderer of Christians before he became the greatest missionary in history. David was an adulterer and murderer, yet he was called a man after God's own heart.
If you're reading this and you don't look like the stereotypical Christian, if your past is marked by darkness and your present is marked by radical transformation, know this: you are not a mistake. You are not too far gone. You are not disqualified. You are chosen, beloved, and mightily used by the King of Kings.
Your story matters. Your testimony has power. Your past has been redeemed for a purpose. Don't let anyone make you feel like you need to fit into a religious box to serve God effectively. He has called you just as you are, scars and all, to be a light in the darkness you once knew so well.
The Kingdom of God is not built by perfect people – it's built by broken people who have been made whole by a perfect Savior. And often, it's those who have been broken the most who become the strongest warriors for the Kingdom.
So rise up, you beautiful misfits of the faith. Your King has work for you to do, and the world needs to see that God's grace truly has no limits.
If you would like to check out the Special Collection of products I have dedicated to this specific group of people, you can find it in Special Collections labeled Standing Out In Purpose.
