Ice Ice Baby October 4, 2005

Lucretia and I were driving home on Saturday night. (She has a sweet car–a convertible…and she let’s me drive it on the weekend!) Anyway, on the radio station we were listening to they had an “all request” night…and someone requested, “Ice Ice Baby.”

I was so excited! I know this is going to ruin the view that some of you have of me–but I love that song. And if you are anywhere around my age–there was a time that you loved it too. In fact, you still know the words, “Rollin’ in my five point O with my rag top down so my hair can blow…” Go ahead, finish it–you know you want to!

So here we are, jammin’ to this song–and we pull up to a stoplight. Do you know what my first reaction was? You guessed it–I reached and turned the radio down…I didn’t want anyone to actually see me enjoying that song. But then I sat there and thought, “Wait a minute–I like this song–I don’t even know the people in the cars around me…and I am letting what they might think about me control my behavior–NO WAY!”

So I cranked it back up, “I grabbed my nine all I heard were shells–fallin’ on the concrete real fast, jumped in the car, slammed on the gas…” (I know you hate me right now–that song is stuck in your head–it’s going to be there all day long–there’s nothing you can do about it!)

So what in the world does that have to do with my faith, the Bible, Jesus, God, church–anything remotely close to some type of religious experience? I am glad you asked?

For a moment I was consumed with what others thought about me–and it was to the point where I let people that I didn’t even know–and a fear of what they might think about me–actually alter my behavior. I see this as being a MAJOR problem among people who claim they are Christians.

For example–we gather at church, or go to home group, or youth group–whatever, and we sing songs to Jesus, listen to stories about Jesus, talk to Jesus–in that context it isn’t hard to be a follower of Jesus–when everyone around you is doing it then it is easy to simply fall in line.

But what about at work? At school? At the game? Have you ever let your fear of what people may think about you cause you to slip into covert Christianity and back away from doing or saying something that will totally honor Jesus? I have–I think we all have–it’s natural to want to back away–but it’s just not right.

MAJOR DISCLAIMER–please understand, I am NOT saying that you need to be weird…and this is NOT permission to be stupid–let me explain.

I am NOT saying to go and get your Bible, walk into work, stand on top of your desk, and announce to everyone that they are going to hell. That’s not taking a stand for Christ–that’s causing people to think you are quite possibly addicted to crack!

I saw this once–Lucretia and I stepped out of a restaurant downtown (ok–Sullivan’s) and there was a dude in front of the old courthouse preaching. I mean he was hell, fire, and brimstone. “You need Jesus-uh!” His face was red-sweat was pouring…and there was no one listening. NO ONE! Lucretia and I were the only people on the street. It was Saturday and so NO ONE was at the courthouse. There were cars riding by…but I watched–they were rolling their windows up as they got close to him.

I told ‘Cretia, “I want to go ask him to stop!” Why? Because when I tell people that I am a pastor–that dude is what many of them see in their mind. And please save your comments about how God can use that to reach people–I know He can…but remember, He also used a donkey to communicate with someone in the OT–just because He can use something doesn’t mean it is a good idea! (Besides–I just don’t ever see Jesus doing that in the Gospels!)

So how do we take a stand? How do we become “salt and light” like Jesus challenged us to become? Simple–it’s in the little things.

For example–when you go out to lunch with some co-workers and your meal comes–PRAY. And don’t do one of those things where you act like you are wiping your nose–seriously, bow and thank God for your food. Or better yet–ask the group if they minded if you prayed & thanked God for the food. I know what some are thinking, “But I might offend…” That is the problem–you are letting the possibility of someone not approving of your actions dictate how you act.

Or how about this–take a shot at inviting someone to church, and then offer to have them over to your home for a meal afterwards. Trust me–people are CRAVING community…and many will jump at the chance.

Or when you notice that someone is going through a tough time…tell them you are praying for them (and then actually do it)–trust me, that comment will mean more than you know.

Christ asked us to be loud–and not to turn down the volume when we get around people who might not like His music. So let’s crank it up and live the life He’s called us to live, and reach the people He’s called us to reach!

“Yo, word to ya mother…”