Turn In Your "Cool Card" And Do Not Collect $200.

This past weekend, I met a guy who was very polite, good-looking, and well-dressed. We began to chat and have a great conversation. He complimented my style, cool haircut, and then began asking about my tattoos. As he made his way to the one on my hand, I very honestly told him that it symbolized God's eternal love for me and it was like a second baptism. I know you're thinking that he probably jumped up and down with excitement saying "OH MY GOSH I LOVE THE LORD TOO," but that's not what happened, my friends. As it never happens that way. Telling people about your love for the Lord within seconds of meeting them often gets a very uncomfortable and stiff response; especially when it's a guy hitting on you. He responded (I kid you not), "Damn, you would be way hotter if you weren't such a big Christian." Instead of being offended, I continued conversation with him, praying that God would use me as some kind of a seed. Who knows, maybe God planted some little seed in his mind that day. Let's just say he didn't beg to take me on a date after that. 

I have been constantly reminded lately that being a believer means that I will never be "cool" ever again. And that kind of really excites me. Like, a lot.

If you think about it, God never promises us in scripture that we will become well-liked, popular, or cool when we decide to take up the Cross. In fact, scripture tells us the complete opposite. 

"But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering."  Romans 8:17

"Then they ordered them never again to speak in the name of Jesus, and they let them go. The apostles left the high council rejoicing that God had counted them worthy to suffer disgrace for the name of Jesus."  Acts 5:40-41

"For you have been given not only the privilege of trusting in Christ but also the privilege of suffering for Him. We are in this struggle together."  Philippians 1:29-30

Wait, is it just me or did they accidentally use the word "suffer" instead of the words "be cool"? Wrong-o. It's definitely meant to be "suffer." GUYS. This is crazy! Every time I look at scripture, I realize how we will never be the popular kids at the cool table at lunch ever again. We will get laughed at, scoffed at, and probably have all kinds of mashed potatoes thrown at our faces. 

But guess what...we GET to do that for Jesus and His Kingdom!

How cool is it that we get to partake in suffering with the King of all the universe?? I don't know about you, but that's a total game changer for me. I get tickled when people are so surprised when a guy like Tim Tebow is ridiculed for proclaiming the name of Jesus. It's going to happen, y'all. If anything, get excited that someone like that is getting negative attention from the press, hate clubs, etc. It means that he is boldly and fearlessly sacrificing his "cool card" for the bigger and better picture; eternal joy and life through our Lord and Savior.

It's easy for some people to say (including fellow Christians) that you are being too "radical" in your love for the Lord. Welp, that just means that you're doing something right because there is NO SUCH THING as loving our Heavenly Father too much. No. Such. Thing. Yeah, it may make you a little weird, less attractive, or lame to some people. I want to sugarcoat that for you, but there is no possible way to make it sound any better. Sorry?

The good news is that we get to run to His arms at the end of it all and spend the rest of eternity with our Heavenly Father who loves us more than we could ever imagine. I cannot WAIT for that day to come.

Keep Loving God Weird.

You get it? Kinda like "Keep Austin Weird"? I'm gonna make t-shirts out of that. Kidding. No one would buy them. If you still don't get why people wouldn't buy them, please reread the entire post. 

In Him,

Katie D.