When I was a child, I remember watching Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer at Christmastime—but I was never a fan of the part with the Island of Misfit Toys.  Had it existed then, I would have used the fast forward button.  I had trouble relating.  Give me and my child-brain the Sears Wishbook–I would busy myself for hours trying to narrow my list down to a few bright, shiny, new, perfect toys.

Only in adulthood have I come to fully appreciate the gravity of feeling like a misfit—and the feeling of empathy for others so situated that goes along with it.  What makes you feel alone, “out of place,” or unworthy?  Whether it’s a particular temptation, guilt, social isolation, status—whatever our life situation—the key is to recognize that incompleteness and that God can fill it and make us whole.   There is deep meaning behind a simple verse from the sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:3), so let’s embrace our imperfection, look at the verse from several translations, and take it in fully to mend the hurt in our grown-up hearts.

New International Version: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Amplified Bible: “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

Good News Translation: “Happy are those who know they are spiritually poor; the Kingdom of heaven belongs to them!

GOD’S WORD® Translation: “Blessed are those who recognize they are spiritually helpless. The kingdom of heaven belongs to them.