Living Weird in a Normal World: Embracing God's Call to Holiness

Living Weird in a Normal World: Embracing God's Call to Holiness

In a world that often pushes us towards normal, there's a profound call for believers to live differently - to live "weird" for God. This isn't about being odd for the sake of it, but about embracing a life set apart, one that reflects the holiness of our Creator.

The concept of living weird stems from Jesus' teachings in Matthew 7:13-14, where He speaks of two paths: a broad, easy one that leads to destruction, and a narrow, difficult one that leads to life. The challenge for believers is clear - choose the path less traveled, the one that may not align with societal norms but aligns perfectly with God's will.

This journey of living weird is simple in concept but incredibly challenging in practice. Our inherent sin nature constantly pulls us towards the broad path, towards what's comfortable and accepted. Even after accepting Christ, this struggle doesn't magically disappear. The difference lies in how we respond to it.

So what does it mean to live weird for God? The apostle Peter gives us insight in 1 Peter 1:13-16:

"So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, 'You must be holy because I am holy.'"

Peter outlines several key aspects of living weird:

1. Be Prepared: Transform your mind. How you think shapes how you act. We're called to think differently from the world.

2. Have Hope in Christ: Our ultimate hope is in Jesus' return. This hope should change how we live, think, and act.

3. Be Obedient: While salvation is by grace alone, genuine conversion leads to a life of obedience to God's calling.

4. Pursue Holiness: Being holy means being set apart. It's about living a life that stands out because it's devoted to God's honor and glory.

Living weird isn't just about being different; it's about being set apart from sin. This doesn't mean we'll never sin again, but it does mean our relationship with sin changes. We grieve when we sin against God because we understand His holiness and the price Jesus paid for our redemption.

This pursuit of holiness is a battle. As Paul writes in Ephesians 6, we're called to put on the full armor of God. Why? Because we're in a spiritual battle. Peter warns us in 1 Peter 5:8, "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour."

To live weird, we must actively fight against our sinful nature. As Paul says in Colossians 3:5, we need to put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within us. This isn't a passive process; it requires intentional, aggressive action.

Consider the powerful lyrics from a contemporary song:

"I just want something holy. Only you and you only. So I keep dying to who I am and to who I used to be. RIP to the old me."

This encapsulates the essence of living weird - continually putting to death our old ways and embracing God's call to holiness.

But what makes living weird so difficult? Two primary factors come into play:

1. The Inward Pull: Our need to please people can drive us to make incorrect choices or paralyze us from making good ones. King Saul's downfall, as recorded in 1 Samuel 15, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of prioritizing people's opinions over God's commands.

2. The Outward Pull: Living weird invites persecution. Jesus warned His disciples in John 15 that the world would hate them because it hated Him first. While this persecution may not always be violent, it can manifest as social rejection, ridicule, or opposition.

Despite these challenges, we're called to persevere. Jesus assures us in Matthew 5 that those persecuted for His sake are blessed. Moreover, He reminds us in Matthew 28 that all authority has been given to Him, empowering us to go and make disciples.

As we navigate this journey of living weird, we must remember that while we can't please everyone, we can work to please God. Sadly, many today seem more worried about standing out in culture than about the sin in their lives before a holy God. When our fear of people exceeds our fear of God, we're in dangerous territory.

The church must resist the temptation to water down the gospel in an attempt to be "seeker-sensitive." We're called to stand out, to be noticeably different because of our devotion to Christ. Consider the example of Christians in Nigeria, where an estimated 52,000 believers have been killed for their faith in the last 15 years. Yet, they continue to gather and worship, living weird in the face of extreme persecution.

Living weird isn't about perfection; it's about direction. It's about consistently turning to God, especially in our weaknesses. As the song "Strong" by Ann Wilson reminds us:

"I can't do this on my own. Lord knows I try, but I'm good at falling down. Thank God you're good at picking me up off the ground."

In our journey of living weird, we will fall. We will struggle. But we serve a God who is always there to pick us up, to strengthen us, and to guide us back to the narrow path.

As we reflect on this call to live weird, let's examine our lives. Are there areas where we've conformed to the world rather than being transformed by God? Are there sins we need to confess, people we need to forgive, or changes we need to make? Let's not let this moment pass without taking action.

Remember, living weird isn't about being odd; it's about being holy. It's about being set apart for God's purposes, reflecting His character in a world that desperately needs to see it. So let's embrace the call to live weird, trusting in God's strength and grace every step of the way.