I’d Rather Be An Outsider
You have to hand it to rapper Lecrae—a Christian who admirably speaks his mind. I normally prefer to use my own words, but sometimes someone so thoroughly nails a thought that there’s simply no need to reword.
On his latest album, Lecrae’s got a song that hits home (hard) with my Adventist experience. It’s called Outsiders. I’ll give you the lyrics below, with my own thoughts in bold.
Let’s get real. Like I always say… the truth will never mind.
[Hook]
I won’t stay here another night
If I gotta sacrifice
Who I am on the inside
I’d rather be an outsider
And you can stay if you like
I’ll see you on the other side
I wanna live the free life
I’d rather be an outside
Yes. Not another night. Life’s too short. God’s calling is too great. You don’t have to be outside the denomination to feel like an outsider. Adventism isn’t giving me a choice. Adventism itself is telling me the denomination is optional. How? They’ve been in the process of leaving me for awhile now. Put another way, I’m not anti-Adventist. It’s just that Adventism is increasingly anti-me.
[Verse 1]
I really can’t tell if I’m overdressed or I’m underdressed
If I’m underpaid or just overstressed
If I’m cynical or just over this
Cause I’m tired of tryna get over there
Man it’s over there
Party’s over
You probably couldn’t tell we over here
Cause you hardly sober
Double shots of that ego
They laughin’ at us, yeah we know
May be at the bottom but we not forgotten
The director’s plotting that sequel
‘Til then we live on the outside
And it might storm and we might die
But I’d rather go with my fist high
Standing outside of your inside
I tried my best to fit in
Looking for a suit to fit in
Standing outside of your prison
Tryna find ways I can get in
Now I realize that I’m free
And I realize that I’m me
And I found out that I’m not alone
'Cuz there’s plenty people like me
That’s right plenty people like me
All love me despite me
And all unashamed and all unafraid
To speak out for what we might see
I said there’s plenty people like me
All outsiders like me
And all unashamed and all unafraid
To live out what they supposed to be
Outsiders
Yes!! I tried for so long to “fit in” within the Adventist institution. Never could. Now, I don’t want to. And ya, I know I’m not alone. There are SO many fed up Adventists wanting something more. I’ve met them all over the country. Many are young, like me. I live for God… why should I be afraid? I’m going to ask the hard questions. I’m going to find a new way to navigate this present world in light of my faith.
[Verse 2]
I know what they askin’ fo’
I know what they askin’ fo’
But how you gone cover charge me my life and soul
And then turn around and ask for mo’
Time to go plus the line is long
I'mma color the outside where lines are drawn
If you wanna exclude me for being the true me
It’s Gucci
I already found my home
Homesick
Homeless if I’m honest
‘Cuz my home is somewhere I ain’t never been before
I'mma hone this here gift
Even if it doesn’t fit in the box
That’ll please these folks
Some of y'all gone need these quotes
I ain’t tryna eat I’m tryna feed these folks
Martin, Mandela yeah we need these folks
We believe these folks
We could be these folks
But they want me to take an L
Tired of taking losses so they can call me a failure
I failed at being you
But I’m winning at being me
I’m winning at being free
Ain’t no competition but me
See I realize that I’m free
And I realize that I’m me
And I found out that I’m not alone
And there’s plenty people like me
I said there’s plenty people like me
All outsiders like me
All unashamed and all unafraid
To live out what they supposed to be
Outsiders
YES!!! Money… it’s a big problem in the church. It eats away at the denomination’s credibility. More on that to come. I’ve been feeling spiritually homeless for a long time. And I realize I’m not living to please the institution. I am living to please God. I love this notion that we don’t have to be mindless sheep. WE, the body of believers, can lead. We don’t need a pastor’s permission. Or a “President’s” either. I’ve failed plenty of times at being a clone of Ted Wilson or Doug Batchelor. But I’m pretty awesome at being me. And I can sure do that for God.
[Outro]
It’s been too dark
So many lies
Turn on the lights
Open your eyes
Oh oh oh oh
We’ll be runnin’ through the night
It’s brighter on the other side
Oh oh oh oh
Something’s bigger than you and I
Brighter on the other side
Yes. It has been dark. I don’t have time for Adventism’s excuses anymore. My eyes have been opened. I won’t be held down any longer. Are you still trying to walk around with your eyes shut? It is brighter on the other side if being on the other side means you can live with a clear conscience.
Start A Conversation On Facebook And Twitter:
Want to get your friends involved in the discussion? Here are a few intriguing title suggestions you can use to get their attention on social media.
- Do You Have To Sacrifice Who You Are On The Inside To Be An Adventist?
- You Don’t Have To Be Outside The Adventist Denomination To Be An Outsider
- The Adventist Church Drew Lines. You Colored Outside Them. What Does That Make You?
- You Can Fail At Being An Adventist Clone And Win At Being You
- Adventist Youth… It’s Been Too Dark, So Many Lies, Turn On The Lights, Open Your Eyes
Are you following @adventuprising on Twitter?