It still comes as a surprise to encounter alpacas on British farms. A shapely head with a shock-mop of hair pops up over a hedge or gate- and my little grey cells go into overdrive. A weird sheep crossed with a giraffe? Bright-eyed, curious and usually friendly, the alpacas are doing nicely. On some farms, they are a tourist attraction!
But they still seem out of place. And if you happen to see two facing in opposite directions, they look exactly like a push-me-pull-you. Calling Doctor Dolittle…
People who live as God-representatives are also seen as unusual, quaint, out-of-place. In fact we live as exiles from our true “home” and genuine faith in action will often take others by surprise! The prophet Jeremiah foretold Exile for the Jewish nation; Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah and others lived in exile. Hebrews Ch.11 is an impressive list of mighty-faith-walkers who are examples to us: living BEFORE Christ, they had hope: BUT WE HAVE MORE. Jesus calls us to follow His way as examples and ambassadors of the Kingdom of God. We live on this side of the Resurrection of Jesus; this side of the Pentecost outpouring.
We can feel out of place- and look it, for we should be living our faith very clearly in a godly manner, imitators of Jesus. So if you feel out of place, you’re probably doing something right! We should stand out (in the Jesus-like way, not as oddballs and weirdos). Be an Alpaca for Jesus!
Hebrews 11:13
"These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth."
The Reflectionary 