rebelling against low expectations

Why You Should Embrace Awkwardness


Someone likes feeling awkward. I’m sure, in a world of 6.6 (as of 2008) billion people, someone must like it.

That someone isn’t me.

Well, wasn’t.

I still don’t like it, to be sure, but I’ve gotten (slightly) better at handling it. Previously, I’d invent an excuse to walk away, turn red in the face, or simply sit there and be awkward.


I still do those things. Hopefully less often.

However, there are some things that will cure even the most acute affliction of awkwardness. One of them is ju-jitsu (nothing weirder than having a complete stranger sit on you while you try to roll them over) and another is embracing the awkwardness.

Setting ju-jitsu aside, I’ll focus on #2.

I noticed that I felt most awkward when talking with other teenagers. With adults and people under twelve, I was for the most part fine. So I asked myself: What’s up with that?

The answer I came up with is: Perhaps they’re feeling awkward too. Maybe it’s like an awkward ouroboros (snake eating its own tale). I’m awkward, which makes them feel awkward, which makes me feel more awkward, etc.

Adolescence is a time of low self-esteem (at least in this century), which immediately lends itself to awkwardness. The reason I didn’t feel as weird around adults is because they were relaxed and confident, which put me at ease. So I decided to try and copy them and Embrace the Awkwardness.

And guess what? I even found a Bible story about it.

In John 13:3-12 Jesus washes His disciples’ feet. That would be awkward today, but think about in Bible times when that was the job of a servant. Do you think the disciples kept chatting away when Jesus “got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself” (vs 4)?

I bet you not.

I bet they stared as the Master took on a servant’s job. I bet they watched as He went around, slowly and thoroughly rinsing everyone’s toes, drying them with a towel, and moving to the next person. This wasn’t a job that could be done in two minutes.

Oh, and I bet Peter’s brother did a massive face-palm when Peter exclaimed, (vs 9) “Lord, [wash] not only my feet, but also my hands and my head!”

(Dinnertime is not the time to bathe, Peter.)

But did Jesus let the awkwardness stop Him? Nope. And we shouldn’t either.

Yeah, it’s uncomfortable talking to that boy who has autism and stands too close. Embrace it.

Yeah, it’s weird offering to clean the car of a lady who’s going through a hard time. Embrace it.

Yeah, it’s awkward when people ask what your college plans are and you say “I have no idea, but I’m hoping God will make it clear.” But then maybe the janitor will surprise you with a word of encouragement.

Who knows? Maybe the other person will still feel awkward, and you’ll feel awkward, etc.

But it’s worth a try, eh?

(Or is ‘eh’ just awkward?)

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About the author

Cricket Hoppmann


rebelling against low expectations
