What does our christian life look like at FSU? Does it blend in or does it stand out? What is it supposed to look like? I was reading about John the baptist and have been doing some research on his clothes, the words he said as quoted in Matthew 3 and some significance to his location. Everything about what John said to the crowds, to what he wore, to where he spoke from were all out of the “norm.” By no means am I saying that we go and separate ourselves from culture by creating christian cults that live in the mountains of Oklahoma (actually been to a place like that !) Paul was there in the middle of crowds with them speaking boldly and being honest.
Everything about John was outside of the culture. John had come into a personal relationship with God and gave up everything he had. Much like the story of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:45-47). Remember that one, the man finds a treasure and sells everything he has to obtain it. Is my life this radical? I am just beginning to really learn what this life looks like. I was praying and thinking tonight about the idea of affluent christianity in the western culture. “Affluent Christianity” can those two words exist side by side. The life we live in the west is all about affluence. The american dream is the story of success. The american dream is the story of obtaining things that are not eternal. The american dream is counter to what the Christian life looked like. John was there telling the people to repent in camel hair clothes and eating locusts and honey. This counterculture life style did not turn people away rather it showed them how much he believed in what he was preaching. John lived by example and that gave him the platform to share the amazing truth of God’s love and grace. At the same time he lived out a radical christianity that meant 100% commitment. There was no holding on to anything. So many times the church as a whole has sold everyone a lie. The health and wealth prosperity message of many megachurches is so unbiblical. I cannot believe there is anyway to preach any different. God truly wants to bless us, no doubt about it! God wants to give us what we ask for, no doubt about it! The kicker though is “according to his will.” If i’m still asking for a new car or a bigger house, or a nicer T.V. I may be missing the point. Maybe we shouldn’t be asking for so many things that are temporal. Ouch! One of the greatest compliments I ever received was a girl telling me over a four years ago that she knew I was a christian by how I acted in class and how I spoke with friends and classmates. She didn’t know me by my t-shirt of some group I was a part of, she knew because my life stuck out. Does my way of living still stick out for the glory of God?
I repent for accepting the lie that radical christianity does not reach the lost, the lie that we can have all the luxuries of the american dream and be maturing as a christian. Lies lies lies!
Ask yourself this: What am I holding on to? Why am I afraid to live a life that may stand out from the culture on campus? What do I call success? Do my classmates even know I’m a christian beyond the horribly cheesy t-shirts I wear? Maybe the question is what does God desire my life to look like?
Praying for ya
Michael
ps: i wont be around for a couple of days, as I’m at a wedding out of town. Keep up the posting though. Its getting good around here 
