Uncool

I’ve always been uncool. Ever since I was young I never quite fitted the mold in terms of what was revered by my peers. I liked school (uncool), didn’t like be in trouble, (way uncool) and was open about my Christianity (way, way uncool). It’s taken me years to discover my authentic self and to let go of what other people expect me to be. The only person I want to be is the woman that God intended me to be. I may be uncool in the eyes of others, but I want to make God proud.

Over the past few months I’ve noticed an interesting trend: perhaps more than ever, it is uncool to be a Christian. This Christmas season it seemed that there were more digs, more jibes, more disdain for those who believe and love the Biblical version of Christmas than I have ever experienced. Maybe it’s always been that way and I just never noticed. Maybe I’ve expanded my community (which I believe is a good thing) and am now exposed to a wider variety of beliefs. Whatever the reason, it seems to me to be very unpopular to call yourself a Christian these days. If you do, you are likely to be labelled narrow-minded, judgemental, hypocritical, naive, arrogant and just plain dumb. I don’t have an issue with being called all of these things, because in reality, I am every single one of them.

I am inherently narrow-minded, but God wants me to open up my world, to see the hurting of those in my neighbourhood, my city, my country, my world and do something about it. Contribute. Care. Make a difference.

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:40

I am inherently judgemental,  but God wants me to look at my own shortcomings before pointing the finger at anybody else. Since that will keep me occupied for, I don’t know, a lifetime or two, that doesn’t leave me much time to judge anybody else, does it?

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? Matthew 7:3

 

I am inherently hypocritical, doing the very thing I don’t want to do, but God wants me to keep on striving to live by His commands which happen to underpin the laws of the western world. Like it or not, the western world is grounded in Christianity with don’t kill, don’t steal, don’t lie as basic tenets of our society. I happen to think those precepts are worth hanging onto.

If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:15

 

I am inherently naive, not able to comprehend the magnitude of the solar system or the workings of the human brain, but my naivety reminds me of God’s majesty, so I’m cool with that.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1

 

I am inherently arrogant, thinking that my way is the best way, but then God reminds me that his ways are infinitely superior to mine and I once again resume my rightful place at his feet. He has an eternal perspective, while I am limited to a whisper of time.

‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

 

And I am inherently dumb, often being swept up in the trivialities of life, our consumer-driven society, the need for more-more-more, when in fact the state of my faith, my relationships, my character is far more important than the state of my house. God reminds me to keep my priorities straight, to love him first and to serve others next.

‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matthew 22:37-39

 

We are all darkness and light. The most dangerous people are those who think they are solely one or the other. Christians have often been guilty of portraying the image that they are nothing but light and that everyone else is darkness. We are no doubt collectively to blame for the image that many people have of us as a group. I’m sorry for those times Christians have let you down, ripped you off or acted without integrity. I’m sorry for the times that I have done the same. I am a Christian because I know I need forgiveness. I haven’t got it all together, I don’t have all the answers and I’m certainly far, far from perfect.

And I know many, many horrible things have been done in the name of Christianity in the past that should not be conveniently glossed over, but please also remember the many good things have also come out of Christianity. Care for the homeless, the elderly, the sick, the dying has often (not exclusively, I know) been the domain of Christian people and organisations for one simple reason: Christians have a mandate to care about others.  We may do it poorly, we may be awkward or ineffective and yet the true follower of Christ genuinely cares about others. I have a responsibility to treat others with respect regardless of their gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, economic status, marital status or any other demographic label you wish to throw in my direction. I know that not everyone will feel the way I feel, believe what I believe, live their lives the way I live mine, but surely I am free to do so without condemnation, even if it is uncool.

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