“Do not be conformed to this world, let God transform you." ~ Romans 12:2
When asked to introduce himself during college orientation,
the freshman said, “My name’s Hedley. I love Jesus and Aerosmith, because
seriously, what a combo?”
“That guy’s a weirdo!”
thought Colin, “super-strange.” He joked with friends that the kid had the
social skills of a morel mushroom. Curious, he later met with the boy for Cokes
to learn more. He turned out to be an interesting dude focused on the Lord’s
direction in his life.
Hedley didn’t think making a public declaration of his
faith was strange. While our culture has conditioned us to feel awkward about
explaining our faith to strangers, to him it seemed perfectly normal. “God
calls us to be weird. If you think I’m odd, wait until you get a load of the Guy
who’s coming!” he suggested.
“Gospels reveal Jesus was an unlikely Messiah. His inner
circle wasn’t comprised of religious zealots but blue-collar workers,
fishermen, corrupt bureaucrats, and other sinners. What a peculiar crew to
start an evangelical movement!”
“Reviled by his own people,” Hedley said, “Zacchaeus,
a corrupt Jewish tax collector, got rich by overtaxing his countrymen. His
notoriety grew after Jesus called the odd little man down from a sycamore tree
he’d been perched in. Their encounter changed Zacchaeus’ life. He gave
back the money he’d stolen and joined Jesus’ band of weirdos.”
“Bible history records Mary Magdalene as a demon-possessed
prostitute. Yet, Jesus eagerly welcomed her and helped Mary overcome her social
challenges. She became one of the earliest and most devoted followers of Jesus.
She certainly didn’t fit the mold most people would assume characterizes a
devout, loving follower of Jesus. Weird, right?”
“Yes, being a Christian is weird,” Hedley concluded. “That’s
a good thing!”
Over time, just as Jesus converted his followers and
changed the world for good, God patiently transformed Colin’s heart from the
inside out (think spiritual heart surgery). He’d apologized for his error in
judging Hedley too quickly and realized it was OK to be “weird.” He found that his
encounter with the super-strange kid offered an example that gave him the courage
to draw from.
When you feel out of place or ask yourself why it can be
difficult to be the “weird” Christian that other people might make fun of,
remember that you may be leading by example for someone else to follow. You may
be giving them the confidence to realize there’s nothing out of place about
living as an example for Christ.
Jesus came as a liberator. It was through His example that
He let our imaginations be different and the freedom to fly.
Almighty Father, as I awaken today, thank
You for the gift of life that I’ve been given. I’m thankful for the opportunity
to live and breathe, and most of all, for the hope that I have in You. Strengthen
me to live like one who is truly alive. Amen
