It seems so simple doesn’t it? We stand very proud and firmly on our faith and belief that Jesus is Lord. If people come against us we are not moved. “I’ll proudly accept the label of Jesus Freak.” We beam, while standing amongst our fellow believers. But what about when you’re opposed? How firmly do you stand, and how do you react to ridicule?
I have a lot of “friends” on social media, some are acquaintances, some are my encouragers I couldn’t do without, and some are my best of friends. When you decide to allow such a multifaceted array of people into your little world you will encounter differences. It’s not just social media I suppose. This happens in other places too. Work, the gym, anywhere you are surrounded by different people, people who are different than you. My example though is social media derived.
I have a friend I’ve known for a long time. In fact, we go way back. We hadn’t spoken in many years, so you can imagine my pleasant surprise when social networking caused our paths to cross again. For years now we have interacted in a strictly on-line friendship. In that period of time I’ve seen where our paths diverged from one another.
Change is good, and I certainly don’t expect everyone to be just like me. What a boring world that would be! But seeing differences in how you think, how you choose to live and love, and how you treat others says a lot to me.
I wouldn’t expect that my old friend will read this particular post. You see, I’m quite certain she wouldn’t bother taking the time to read material that she considers silly and pointless. We are as different as day and night, and my interests of my children and Jesus don’t interest her. I could probably get along fine with that, but it’s her blatant distaste for my lifestyle that is bothersome. She sees my views as ridiculous and worth poking fun at whenever she has the opportunity. So you see, I’m certain she would never stoop so low as to read my sheepish material that she considers asinine in the least. But if she did get really bored and wanted to make fun of me, I’m certain I wouldn’t mind her reading this. I actually think that would be fantastic.
I’ve watched over the years as she’s ridiculed things I hold dear to my heart, making fun of things like the military and their practices. I wouldn’t expect someone who has never served to fully understand why the guard at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier does what he does. You don’t have to understand. But if you point at his honor and label it as stupid, I will likely take it personally. But, I let it go.
I’ve watched as she showed disgust for things I cherish, like children. I watched as she strongly suggested things I do are wrong, such as letting my dog live outside or not loving my cat as much as I do my baby.
I’m sorry, I’m going to go out on a limb here and make some people angry. I don’t believe animals have souls. I eat them for food and I don’t place them above my human counterparts. This is my belief. I will not force it on you. More importantly I will not call you multiple bad names for not believing as I do.
But still, I let it go. You may ask, “why not unfriend her if y’all disagree so much?” And I guess that would be the easy out, but I just couldn’t do it. This may sound silly, but I felt somewhat responsible for her. I wanted her to see truth in my life. I don’t mean that in a cocky way, but simply in the mindset of, “I once was lost, but now I’m found.”
So we’ve trucked along like that for years, comfortable, as much as we can be, in our agreement to disagree, even though not always so amicably on her part.
You know when it gets hard to let it go? For me, it’s when the most important thing, the thing that is the essence of what I am and the reason I exist is affronted. My relationship with Christ. When it’s thrown in my face that my faith, my religion, my ideals are ridiculous, I take it personal. When I’m laughed at, jeered at like I’m a freak because I follow The Lord, I take offense.
I do not believe in New Age religion. I do not put any faith in astrology or healing crystals. If you do though you won’t find me demeaning you for your beliefs, even though I find them false. When you don’t afford me the same courtesy, I get angry.
Yes, I got angry, like boiling blood mad. Naturally I immediately began to question my feelings. I said, “Oh Lord, forgive me for my anger!”
You know what He said? He told me it was okay to be angry. I was justified in my righteous anger over an offense of my God. But you know what He also said? After He told me I could be angry, that it was indeed okay to be mad. He told me to smother that person with love, to love those who oppose me, those who cause me to burn with righteous anger!
Well how does that work?! That was my question.
It turned out to be a matter of how I approached it, and then how I followed through. I should take offense when treated as a freak, ridiculed for my faith, but then I give correction with love.
It’s not about being right. It’s about being righteous.
Ephesians 4:26 “In your anger do not sin”[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
A response concerned with being right would say, “I’m not the moron. You are with your _______. You’re going to burn in hell. That is all!”
A response concerned with righteousness might say, “That really offends me, and it’s really unfair considering I don’t ridicule your beliefs. My God teaches love not judgement. My God loves you whether you are right or wrong, so I do too.”
The fruits of my life in Christ are evident by my treatment of others. While it doesn’t hinge on it, true salvation is evident by my interaction with others. When they see how my God changes me and causes me to love unconditionally, without malice or judgement, won’t they want to know Him too? That’s my hope.
I may not agree with you, but I won’t make fun of you. I may not believe what you believe, but I won’t call you ridiculous or silly. I will love you. I will invite you to learn about this love that changed my life. I will never call you a freak even though my life has never been better since becoming a Jesus Freak.