Illegitimate Child

Last night I was hanging out with some locals.  This one guy has seen me around a handful of times, so we reached that point where he was really curious about me, and wanted to know what I do.  He didn’t ask it like that.  It was more like, where do you work.  I said I work out of my home a lot.  Maybe that wasn’t the right answer.  Maybe I should have found a way to make it a spiritual conversation.  I’m not sure.  He works in building.  I got the feeling maybe he didn’t know what to do with me.  I left the conversation a little bit down, wanting to reach out to him, but not knowing how, since I felt like maybe he perceived me as some well off punk who makes his own hours.  I want to feel more legitimate.  Like I have a real reason for being around.  I forgot that I already do.

I was reading an update from a missionary I know.  They talked about how their new building adds legitimacy to their ministry.  I didn’t like reading that.  I can see the point and even appreciate it.  It’s not that different from my desire for legitimacy.  But I can also see the dark side of that.  Of thinking we need buildings and stuff to make us legit.  It seems like the early church didn’t find it’s legitimacy in those things. I’m wondering if Jesus was into legitimacy.  Did he seek to be found legit?  I’m not sure.  Certainly he was, but did he seek that?  Not everyone thought he was legit.  Does legitimacy help the Gospel go further?  Yeah, I think in some cases.  I’m just not sure about seeking legitimacy.  In thinking about this, I’m reminded that we’re all illigetimate children.  Bastards of the world, so to speak.  But I’ve found adoption as a sibling of Jesus, and you can’t beat that for legitimacy.