Jesus Freaks

I have this new question that I’ve been throwing around in my head for the last few weeks. It’s funny how God works, because I was thinking about this issue but I hadn’t really been discussing it with a lot of people, when a friend, without even knowing, brought up the topic a few days later and then the following morning at church I heard a message that was not on this issue but the pastor briefly mentioned his thoughts on it. I was sure at this point that God wanted me to really dig into this topic and figure out what I believed. So my big question is; how sold out are we called to be?

We are told to “acknowledge Him in all things,” but it’s hard to say if anyone really understands what that means. Some take it to mean that we give thanks in ever small way as often as possible. If this was our interpretation, that would mean we thank Him for that green light that we got on the way home or that discount at the grocery store. Ok, is that really such a bad thing? When I am so focused on praising God for all the good, no matter how small, He is doing in my life it is nearly impossible to be negative. That sounds like a pretty good way to live to me. But what about the ones who take this thankfulness to the extreme, is that ok too? These are the ones who turn others off to church and Christ because they seem crazy and over the top. Is that a good way to show Christ to non-believers? Actually, they aren’t showing Christ at all, because He wasn’t overbearing, instead he sat and ate with the sinners.

Now, like many other believers, I’m confused even more. I don’t think there are many of us who live like we are called to live but I’m not sure where to draw that line either. We are called to be set apart, but, at the same time, we are told to live in this world. We can’t be so radical if we are going to lead others to Christ, but they have to see Him in our lives at all times. So how are we to live? What is that middle ground? These are questions that there aren’t really answers for because it is so subjective. You’re reaction to Christ’s call is different than mine. Every person has to determine in their own lives what it means to “acknowledge Him in all things.” For some, it means listening to only Christian music, while others wear Christ on their clothes, and then there are those who sell everything they have and move to Africa to win as many as possible.

No one can ultimately say what is the right path or the wrong one, the one thing I can say is that we are called to love God and others. When my radical devotion is turning others away from God and His love, then I need to take a step back and really look at who I am glorifying. All our actions, whether great or small, should glorify God alone. If, in every word and deed, God is being lifted high, then I am living the calling and people’s opinions no longer matter.