Are You Relatable?

Every month I like to talk about popular culture here at Tirzah. I grew up in church who shunned anything that didn’t conform to their exact rules. Christian rock was a sin - because people used rock to sin (their idea - not mine). However, I grew up in a family that truly was great at embracing anyone we met - no matter who they were or what they were doing.

Sometimes, I listen to different Christian denominations and they argue about very silly things. I also listen to Christians and hear them, unintentionally, judge people who don’t live exactly like them. The reality is the Bible says “live in the world, not of it”. It doesn’t actually say stay away from the world - but from sinning.

We all struggle with our own sins. For some, it might be alcohol - another lust. You never know what someone’s struggles might be. That is why we have to learn with both grace and honesty as Christians. 

For example, I know I can be judged, at times, for the people I choose to hang out with or places I choose to go. The reality is I do know where I struggle and I also know where I thrive. I love Jesus and I know Jesus loves me. Because I have that foundation and people around me that also do, I have the privilege of hanging out with people who believe all kinds of different things. I love hearing people’s stories, whether or not they love Jesus. It is a privilege to have friends that will know Jesus someday - and, as long as they are not encouraging me to sin, I hope that I show who Jesus is - with both honesty and love to them.

This is also the reason I stay pretty current on popular trends in “worldly” entertainment. Sometimes, we Christians, can become completely unrelatable and out of tune with what someone is experiencing. I want to be prepared to have a conversation with someone about what they truly enjoy - whether or not I agree with it. Know your faith and know your relationship with Jesus. If you are solid in your foundation, don’t be afraid to know people who are different than you or aren’t part of the same denomination. 

My pet peeve is the lack of honesty that we, as Christians, face. I will concede my biggest thing is when people tell me “God told me not to or to…” or they say “I have this rule because….” It is okay to give honest answers. It is okay to say God told me not to. But, explore why God told you not to. He may be trying to show you a hidden sin or an area where you need to grow. That is okay.

It is okay, to be vulnerable, with that right people. However, it is not very relatable to those who don’t believe when you tell them God told you to do something that is not spelled out in the Bible. Be honest and open about your struggles. When I’ve opened up to the people God placed in my life about my own boundaries and why they exist, I’ve found they were willing to be more open about their own struggles.

Let’s be Christians that embrace what the Bible actually says - and be willing to love the way Christ does to those who may like or do things differently than us. That doesn’t mean sinning or accepting sin - but being gracious and honest. 1 Corinthians is a really good book in the Bible that talks about all of this in greater detail:)