Have you ever felt like you didn’t quite belong?
When you LOOK a certain way, or THINK a certain way, or ACT a certain way, you are sure to fit in. BUT if you are wired to look, think or act way outside of the statistical norm of your group, you are an “outlier.” Your data point is way out of alignment with your flock. This is sure to make you seem odd or peculiar…and that leads to a status of being “rejected” from the norm.
Moses was driven off by his own people and lived in the isolation of the desert.
Daniel was so popular with his peers in Babylon they invited him to dinner—with a den of lions.
David's brothers were summoned to Samuel or went to war, but David was left alone.
Yet, in each case God sent the outsider in to deliver His people and solve a problem.
Malcolm Gladwell points out in his book, Outliers, how people coming into a field from a position outside, often bring not only a fresh perspective but fresh tools and applications.
The great Revivalist Finney was in fact a lawyer who questioned every practice of preachers and innovated the “altar call” because any good lawyer builds a case for a verdict not a mediation!
Likewise Whitfield didn't receive his training as a preacher from a seminary. He was trained in a bar where he grew up standing on tables and impersonating neighbors for tips!
The outlier is often the rejected outsider who gets results in an unconventional way.
David, the outsider, didn't use a sword. He didn't even have a sword! He used a Shepherd's weapon, the slingshot. To behead the Giant he used the Giant's sword.
“So David defeated the Philistine with only a sling and a stone. He hit him and killed him. He did not even have a sword in his hand…He took Goliath’s sword out of its holder and killed him by cutting off his head.” (1 Samuel 17:50-51)
Fitting end for Goliath, “for those who live by the sword shall perish by the sword” but those that use a slingshot will cause their enemies to fall by their own mischief.
I have seen the Lord guiding me to speak out or share the unpopular word many times–it seems I am often an “outlier” among the current media voices in our culture. But I know that the Lord always makes a way and I’ve seen favor manifest where it was least expected. My team and I value your continued prayers, support, and encouragement over the years as we work to bring truth to our nation and beyond. If you would like to partner with us, here is the link: lancewallnau.com/outlier. Thank you for standing with us!
Some people act like outliers because they want to stand out for being different. That's not a real outlier. Likewise rebellion is not really what an outlier is all about. The genuine outlier respects groups and honors others; they just think differently.
So if you're following Him where others are not, you are an “outlier.” At first they may think you wayward. Wayward means to behave in ways that are not socially acceptable or not going or moving in the intended direction.
The fact is, the flock on earth isn't always following accurately “the lamb wherever He goes.” (Revelation 14:4) That's what makes Innovators, Inventors, Reformers, Emancipators and Prophets so interesting, inspiring and dear.
Keep following. Endure the rejection BUT don't stop and certainly don't murmur. Keep looking for an entrance into a field where you can put your unique gifts and thoughts to work. Produce results that nobody else is getting.
Beautiful.
Loved ‘…The genuine outlier respects groups and honors others; they just think differently…’
Love Malcolm Gladwell’s books and trust as Holy Outliers we have put our 10,000 hours in – in earthly kingdoms and around the Throne!
I absolutely LOVE this sooooo much!
Best description EVER! What a relief to finally feel understood… even by ME! ✨🤗
Thank you Lance for this word, I love it.
I love what you said- they respect and honour others, they just think differently. That’s a genuine outlier!
It’s an innovative approach , wisdom from above who has good fruit.
Thank you Wendy
Yes, I understand fully what you said. In fact my thoughts were exactly on this subject when I read your email. I, of course have had my own rejection issues, as well as the inspiring, reviving and uplifting encouragement from the Lord that turned my attention to some lacks in the status quo of church doctrines etc. today. The Lord is definitely infinite in His wisdom and knowledge, as well as infinite in grace to even the worst sinners, if they would respond to His call! That’s something we should ALL remember – NONE of us has ALL the truth of God – so how come some notable ministries, who have indeed been used of God, judge other inspired ministries? I’m speaking mainly to the rejection of today’s prophets! I listen to a lot of those named today as “false prophets”, and I definitely hear the Lord speaking through them, and they use Scripture ALL the time! Who is anyone to judge because one has pink hair, another wears long black leather coats etc.. How did the prophets of old dress – Elijah, John the Baptist for example? How many times did they prophesy something that didn’t exactly come to pass in their day, or how people expected them to be fulfilled? They are encouraging to me, these modern prophets, and not like a fortune teller as I’ve heard some accuse them! I know the difference. Where is honor given – that’s a clue.
When you talk about outliers, it reminds me of Clayton Christensen and his idea of disruptive innovators in business. I know God has used people like you mentioned and of course I also think of John the baptized as well. It seems that God delights in upsetting the status quo by bringing in an outlier at a strategic time that no one expects or recognizes to bring about His purposes.
And sometimes it takes another outlier to recognize what God is doing and to declare and explain it.
Lance, I’ve always appreciated that about you and over the years your teaching has helped me so much because you draw from so many sources that others never consider. You are a valuable gift to the world. Keep being you, brother.
This is so surreal. Outliners don’t fit in. A around peg don’t fit into a square hole, thank you for your encouragement and reminder that only God’s very own will stand for eternity! We will each answer to whom we co-labor with or we will be deceived or confused, our words end deeds must align with our identity and assignments! Great teaching, Lance!
High tech corporations are Tower of Babel sent Jesus in for transfer of wealth to nations.
Innovation for the Church 🙏
Yup; that’s me, even at 76…
Thanks for the encouragement too; we don’t get much of that except from the Lord who keeps us in our lane and sane…LOL!
Thank you, Lance. Yes and I’ve been blessed with 6 grandchildren and my 3 kids see the I’m an outsider and it’s all good in the Lord’s army. God looks at our hearts. This week in Eau Claire, as a volunteer, I’m looking forward to meeting you.
excellent teaching very inspiring. David did not use a sling shot he used a sling a much more deadly weapon than a sling shot.