Monday 31 March 2014

A - Are You Crazy!?

Tuesday April 1st 2014

When you meet someone, you may engage in small talk. These shortcomings of conversation are generally about the schooling you're currently enrolled in, your profession, how many kids you have or if you saw the latest box office film. But when it comes to your passions, beliefs and faith, people tend to back away, change the topic or suddenly have an appointment they need to "head off to before they're late".



For myself, I tend to tell people I'm Christian quite early on in our acquaintanceship or friendship and I have had mixed responses. Generally, the response is quite neutral and people may ask a question or two. It's the questions that cause the concern...

My favourite questions are when people ask "so.... Do you drink/have sex/live with your partner?".

No. My answer is honest and clear. This answer tends to sit uncomfortably for non-Christians and they tend to respond "what? Are you crazy?! What do you do for fun?"

don't drink because I have alcoholism in my family, and I don't see the benefits of throwing up after too many drinks, getting myself into bad situations and forgetting the whole night anyway; what was the point of going? Not because I'm a Christian.

I don't have sex because I don't want to. Although I have engaged before, I now live a life of celibacy because I found my life partner and together we have decided that sex is an important experience to enjoy after marriage as we have had our own shares of bad experiences in the past. Sex before marriage has always lead to personal destruction for us. Not because I'm a Christian.

I don't live with my partner because I simply appreciate the modern fairy tale traditions of dating,
engagement, marriage and then moving in together. It just fits for me :) Not because I'm a Christian.
Ironically, these values were put into my life way before I started my walk with God :)
Although I had strength around what I believed in for me, I started to believe the words people said about me.. Am I a freak? Am I no fun? Am I boring? Am I not living life? Am I crazy? 

When I first became a Christian, I was highly intrigued by verses and the meanings behind them. It was a few months into my walk with God when I came across the following verse;

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

After I read this verse, I felt calm. Central. I felt normal. My morals and values were not only protection for myself and completely normal and healthy choices, but they were a way for me to express the works God has done in me without having to preach and act like a "crazy Christian".



If you have morals, values and beliefs that are head-on against the average crowd, do not fear. You are normal, for you are who you were created to be.

Your Starfish Story is still being written. . . Have faith



5 comments:

  1. I love our blog for A. I too have the same feelings when I became God's Friend. I have been a Baptized Jehovah's Witness since 1994 and I serve as a pioneer in the door to door work sharing the good news of God's Kingdom. I understand all the things you have posted and glad to meet someone who shares the same morals as I do.

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  2. I admire people who live their values and value their faith, great post. I appreciate how open and honest your writing is. Religion is I can't wait to read more.
    Thanks for stopping by my blog...I'll be back :)

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  3. Thankyou :) it's always encouraging for someone to say they understand my morals rather than criticizing them!

    What is your blog name? I'd love to read. Stay tuned, B is for "Being Bare" :) x

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  4. And thankyou Jen :) I will always be honest but would never dream of bible bashing someone ;) thankyou for reading and I look forward to my email saying you have posted again :) x

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  5. Dear Shonae,
    It is always thrilling to live and stand by one's faith, whichever that is. I wonder sometimes if Christians don't also 'poke or shun' 'unbelievers'? Courage I will say.

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