Rants, Raves, and Relief

Have you ever met someone who loves Jesus a little “too” much? Someone who makes their love for Jesus a little too obvious? You know that person that abstains from certain things because it’s “wrong”, the one who has to add God to everything OR wait for it… the one with NOTW clothing. You know, THOSE PEOPLE. Don’t they just irk you. Why does everything they do have to come back to God, can’t they just be subtle about their faith??

This seems to be the mindset of the younger generation of Christians, at one point myself included.  The younger generation (in my opinion) prides itself in being far more open, loving, and far far less judgmental of nonbelievers than it’s preceding generation. We are more creative, we love the homosexuals, we have tattoos/piercings, and we casually drink. How cool are we? How much more Christlike can you get? Clearly not much.

The question is are we truly different, or have we just shifted our judgement from those outside the four walls of the church, to those in it. Recently I was with a friend and my ringtone went off (Needtobreathe’s: Slumber) and my friend asked me in disgust, “Is that a Christian song?!” I have thought about that incident quite a bit since it happened. When did it become taboo (amongst fellow Christians) to be passionate about Jesus? Maybe it was just the people I have surrounded myself with, which if true, is a scary thought.

I personally am someone who has an occasional Christian ringtone, gets down to some Nicki Minaj, I choose not to drink, I watch TV shows and movies that probably aren’t the best, but above all I love Jesus. I guess I make it in the “safe” zone. However, I know people who are constantly in prayer, refuse to participate in things that don’t bring honor to God, and only listen to music that glorifies God. Does that make them “religious”? No, it makes them honorable. Not boring, religious, stuck up, close minded, or anything else. Just like you are not compromising, worldly, or secular.

How a person chooses to honor God is not to be judged or belittled simply because it’s not in the fashion you think is right or vice versa. The best thing about God is that He’s always the same yet so unique to each relationship He has. In a time when people like Time Tebow are mocked for their passion, it definitely doesn’t make it easy to walk your own walk, but do it regardless, you have no idea how your relationship with Jesus could be affecting the world around you.