Unfashionable

One of the benefits of moving to the Northwoods has been a change in my insatiable desire and need for stuff. I am no where near as controlled by materialistic things as I was when I lived in the suburbs. . . mostly that's just because there are no stores up here. So I am forced into exile from all things hip, trendy, and fashionable (I'm making it sound worse than it is for dramatic effect). But really, it has been a great experience, because I am learning that the clothes I wore last season are actually just fine for wearing again, and the time and money I spent trying to keep up in the past can go to much better uses now. . .

Yesterday I was looking up books on Amazon.com when I came across one with the title "Unfashionable." It drew me in and after reading the description I think its a fabulous idea. Particularly in America we are so consumed with all things fashionable - whether clothes, or iPhones, or cars, or tan lines. Now, those things are not eternal and don't really matter in the scheme of things - but at the same time, the Christian life doesn't keep you from enjoying them altogether. There is nothing wrong with dressing well or baking in the sun, as long as it does not consume you - become your god. When this author was referring to being "unfashionable," he was talking not about the materialistic things of this world, but about the life we live before others in this world.

Though we might look the same, drive the same car, and use the same itouch - our lives, our attitudes, and our mission should look completely different from the world around us. And that difference does not usually put us in a place of fame and popularity. The result is much more likely that we'll be unfashionable. In fact, the bible tells us that we should expect it.

"All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end
will be saved." Matthew 10:22

"Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10

"If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed."
1 Peter 4:14

This is a difficult thing to hear for a young person considering following Christ. To ask someone to willingly give up their popularity and joyfully accept the criticism and mockery of others seems absurd - especially in middle school and high school. Girls, I know that your season in life is hard, and it is so very difficult to make the right choices. So before we start this new school year, here is a thought to encourage and motivate you to make the unfashionable or unpopular choice that seems so darn hard.

Jesus became unfashionable for you. Isaiah says that he had no beauty, no majesty; that he was mocked and rejected. It is so easy for us to become consumed with acceptance - but if this world accepts us with too much ease, it should be an indicator that we are not fully living the Christian life as God has called us to. Just look at Jesus. . . The Christian life goes against all of the standards and practices of this world.

When we live for God, we will be unfashionable. But through our genuine faith and transparent lives we have the opportunity to be used by Him to draw the hurting, lonely, sick, and desperate to the one true source of hope and comfort!! When we surrender our popularity at the foot of the cross, and there commit to living not for the applause of our friends but the pride of our Father - that is where true life begins!!

That is when the journey gets exciting.

My hope and prayer is that this year you will walk into your school and see yourself as God's missionary here on earth - not sent to blend in and hope that no one asks about your faith - but sent to stand out against the backdrop of all that is wrong and hurting in this world.

You can do it. By God's grace and through His strength you can become unfashionable too. . .