Outliers and the Providence of God

I just finished Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book, Outliers, which is my favorite of his three books.  No, Outliers isn’t a specifically “Christian” book, but like Gladwell’s other books, it forces me to re-think how I look at the world.

Without giving away anymore than you can get from Amazon.com, Gladwell poses this simple question: why do some people succeed, living remarkably productive and impactful lives, while so many more never reach their potential?  This thought provoking question led Gladwell to a fascinating study of a few modern and historical outliers, and the following conclusion:  “they are invariably the beneficiaries of hidden advantages and extraordinary opportunities and cultural legacies that allow them to learn and work hard and make sense of the world in ways others cannot.”

As a Christian, I read with what I call a “Christ-filter”, meaning that whether I’m reading a “Christian” book or  “non-Christian” book, I look at what I’m reading and learning through a filter applied by the fact that I have been redeemed by a Savior who died for me and who has given me a new life.  So, with this understanding, as I read Outliers, I became intrigued by Gladwell’s perspective on successful people:  “some deserved, some not, some earned, some just plain lucky.”

Here’s where I catalogue what I learned from this incredible book (understanding that I encourage you to read the book):  Through God’s providence we are all placed in this world within a certain historical and cultural context that we did not design, and we chose to either use this gift (or curse in the minds’ of many) to glorify God and be a blessing or we can squander it away.  Again, this is via the “Christ-filter”, not Gladwell’s words.

Gladwell uses a list of excellent case studies through the book, and it truly gave me a greater insight into true outliers, such as Mozart and Bill Gates.  But, the case study that kept ringing in my mind was the story of Corrie and Betsie ten Boom.  I was reminded of the stories of their imprisonment in Scheveningen, Vught, and Ravensbruck from Corrie’s book The Hiding Place, and I was reminded of Betsie’s Godly perspective and diligence in such horrid and dispicable conditions.  I cry everytime I read about Betsie’s thankfulness for the lice, and I’m humbled whenever I re-read passages about their hope in such hopeless conditions. 

But, Outliers really forced me to acknowledge that I must question my perspective and it challenged me to see that I am precisely where God designed me to be in this moment in time, and I must embrace this opportunity, or as Betsie ten Boom said after arriving at Vught concentration camp:  “…if people can be taught to hate, they can be taught to love!  We must find the way…no matter how long it takes….” 

While I can’t speak for Malcolm Gladwell, I think it is insightful that he concludes the book with a personal history story, and a fascinating quote from his mother’s book Brown Face, Big Master (Gladwell’s mother is Jamaican):

 I complained to God in so many words.  “Here I was, the wounded representative of the negro race in our struggle to be accounted free and equal with the dominating whites!”  And God was amused; my prayer did not ring true with Him.  I would try again.  An then God said, “Have you not done the same thing?  Remember this one and that one, people whom you have slighted or avoided or treated less considerately than others becaue they were different superficially, and you were ashamed to be identified with them.  Have you not been glad that you are not more colored than you are?  Grateful that you are not black?”  My anger and hate against the landlady melted.  I was no better than she was, nor worse for that matter….We were both guilty of the sin of self-regard, the pride and the exclusiveness by which we cut some people off from ourselves.

God has blessed you and me with countless blessings and opportunities, and in His providence He has positioned us where we may reach our full potential for His glory. 

Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.  –Matthew 5:16

 

 

 

 

 

~ by John Clayton on December 11, 2008.