Have you ever felt like an alien in a unfamilar world? Ever feel the world is somehow….off? The places, the people, the things around you seem familiar but strangely disconnnected, as if you’re on the outside looking in? This feeling of alienation something that many people experience, especially when they’re walking the path of faith in a world that’s often focused elsewhere.

As Christians, this sense of estrangement isn’t just coincidental. Scripture tells us, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (1 John 2:15). Its a reminder that our home is elsewhere; we belong to God’s Kingdom, not the present world. And yet, we’re here, navigating it daily, often feeling like strangers in a foreign land.

Today’s culture often glorifies materialism, self-centredness, and superficial values. For a Christian, these can feel like a language we don’t speak. We may find ourselves searching deeper, something transcendent, but the world offers surface-level distraction. In these moments, it’s easy to feel alienated. Our values-compassion, humility, selflessness-sometimes clash sharply with those around us.

This clash can create a kind of inner tension. How do we stay grounded in our faith when everything around us seems to pull in the opposite direction? It’s a challenge but also an opportunity to lean on God more deeply. Romans 12:2 encourages us, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. Feeling alienated can be a reminder, to “stand out” in a world that often chooses a different path.

Technology, advertisements, social media-all of it often screams for our attention, pushing us to adopt trends and ideals that are fleeting. These pressures can make us feel like we don’t fit in or that we’re “missing out” on what everyone else seems to value. But Christ reminds us that there’s more to life than these passing things. Our worth and purpose are rooted in Him, not in the latest trend or the number of likes we get.

When we feel alienated, it can be a call to focus on what truly matters. By cultivating a personal relationship with God through prayer, scripture, and service, we anchor ourselves in eternal truths that don’t shift with the latest fad. Jesus himself reminded his followers, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). Feeling disconnected from the present world can be an inivtation to embrace our connection with God’s kingdom, an enduring unshakeable foundation.

In times when the world feels overwhelming or isolating, we’re reminded of the community we have in Christ. The church-our brothers and sisters in faith-can offer us a sense of belonging and understanding that’s not based on status, appearance, or worldy achievements. Here, we find acceptance, fellowship, and encouragement.

Of course, the church itself is made up of imperfect people, and it can have its own shortcomings. But when we remember that our belonging is ultimately with God, we don’t have to feel adrift, even when those around us might not fully understand our path. We’re called to live as “peculiar people”(1 Peter 2:0, KJV)-to be different, and in that difference, to find a profound connection with Christ and with each other.

If you feel alienated by the things around you, it may be because God is calling you to live in a way that’s authentically aligned with Him. Embracing this feeling can lead to a deeper, more resilient faith. It invites us to live with an eternal perspective, and to hold fast to God’s promises.

Rather than seeking comfort in fitting in, we can seek fulfillment in living as God’s “ambassadors” (2 Corinthians 5:20). We’re here to represent something bigger, to be a light to others, and to live out the love and truth of Jesus. And when we do that, we find our true identity-not in comformng to the world, but in our deep, abiding relationship with the Creator of the universe.

In this sense, alienation isn’t something to fear. It’s a reminder that we’re already part of something greater than anything this world could offer-perhaps it’s because your heart is already with the One who created you for something beyond this world. In God’s eyes, you’re right where you belong.

This perspective allows us to find comfort and direction in the very feeling of alienation, reframing it as a sign of our deeper connection with God and our ultimate place in His kingdom.

God bless you,

Nick x.