Jesus Freak

When I was in high school, I was obsessed with DC Talk.  The album “Jesus Freak” and the book that accompanied that album “The Voice of the Martyr’s” were both next to my bed.  I read the stories in that book about people and kids that were losing their lives in the name of Jesus.  They were given the choice, “deny Him or die” and they overwhelmingly choose to die. All in the name of Jesus.  All for the sake of their strongest convictions.  I would drink in those stories.  The tunes from the album would echo though my mind as I went about the hall in high school.  “What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak, What will people do when they find that its true..”

Now a day’s I still listen to christian music, and have the typical “relationship” with Jesus.  However, I have always yearned for something more.  I have always thought there had to be more to this Jesus Freak thing than just attending church on Sunday.  I had a desire to be a martyr.  No, don’t laugh, I really did.  I felt that the ultimate gift I could give Jesus would to be giving my life for him, in some fashion.  This feeling has manifested itself in many parts of peoples lives, not just my own.  The constant “What’s the point of life?  and “What am I supposed to do or be?”  Are the questions that surround this same thought of “How do I become the martyr for Christ that I feel I should be?”

Then just the other day, as I was scrolling though some horrible comments, I was hit with a feeling.  A realization.  A light bulb moment.  (Although a dim bulb, it was still there)  We have been given the opportunity to be the “martyr”.   How often do we scroll past something that is blatantly wrong but being said by a fellow Christian?  How often do you hear something said in a small group that ticks at your conscience and you duck your head and let the conversation flow on?  Afraid of offending someone.  More importantly, you might offend a fellow CHRISTIAN.  So you let it slide, and then it happens again, and again.  And your conscience starts saying “hmmm… that’s not right.. it sounds… off…” But  you just go along, so as to not make waves.

Now more than ever we are being met with people everyday that are angry.  They are afraid.  They want change, but don’t know how to speak kindness to achieve their goal.  They don’t understand empathy.  They feel they need to raise their voices to be heard.  They want the “other” side to hear them and bend to their opinion.   These people are non-Christians, but sadly, they are Christians too.  They label them selves liberal, conservative, alt-right, nationalists and independent.  The anger and disappointment runs deep on all sides.  Many of my Christian friends have lowered themselves to this level of deep, deep anger.   They have convinced themselves, in their hearts, that what they feel is right.  And they are very unbending.

This is my challenge to you.

I am asking  you to be brave.  I am encouraging you to have healthy conversations that enact change.  I am encouraging all Christians to study their scriptures so that they can be ready to explain why they feel the way they do.  I am encouraging you to stand up for what is right, and explain to the dissenting Christian, in a compassionate and loving way, how Jesus would have acted in a situation.  Use scriptures effectively to help the other Christians understand your point of view.  And you will be mocked, and made to feel silly for your beliefs.  They will roll their eyes at you and shrug their shoulders.  You will feel unsure of having another conversation with them.  Press on!  Speaking truth and showing love are worthy reasons to be mocked.

In the very near future, probably today, you as a Christian will be given an opportunity to speak to another Christian that has a different opinion than you.  I encourage you to speak up.  I encourage you to learn the scriptures that you hold dear. Then take those to the small groups and bible lessons.  So that the next time opportunity knocks, you can be brave.  Speak up.

I realize now, that the martyrdom that I have been looking for in my life might not be dying on a foreign field.  It might just be speaking up.  It might be something as simple as calling out truth when given the chance.  My martyrdom is going to be speaking truth.  It is simple, and I am asking for others to join me.  It won’t be easy, truth is hard to decipher in this world today.  But we are called to speak truth, even if it has repercussions. Join me.  Be a martyr for truth.