CHRISTIANS ARE WEIRD!

Okay, ‘weird’ may be a bit strong language to use.

‘Enigma’ works well too. However, whether I use ‘weird’ or ‘enigma,’ these words apply to Christians only as viewed by the outside world. The world looks at us and says, “Why would you go to a boring church service on Sunday when you can enjoy a beautiful day boating on the river?”

On the other hand, we Christians look at each other and say, “There’s no better place to be on Sunday than with a church family of believers worshiping our God.”

The outside world can’t see that. They believe a Christian has simply made a lifestyle choice and no more. A guy wants to go to church on Sunday, plop some dollars in the offering plate, sing a few songs and listen to someone talk about the Bible, that’s his prerogative. That’s where the guy finds comfort and enjoyment. More power to him. That’s the life he’s chosen.

Truth is, I’m a Christian, and I never chose to be a Christian or chose the lifestyle associated with a Christian. Ephesians 2:1-2 explains why: “And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience.”

How could I choose to become a Christian if I’m dead? I’ve witnessed plenty of people lying in coffins, and, while in that state, they’ve never chosen to do anything.  They’ve never ordered out, never voted, never changed the channel on the television. The reason is logical: They’re dead.

In addition, there’s nothing in the above verses which indicate I would choose to be a Christian even if I had the ability to do so. According to those verses, I was pretty content walking according to the course of the world. It all looked good to me, and I was no wiser to think differently.

Then Someone intervened: “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ…” (Ephesians 2:4-5)

I’m not a Christian because I chose God. I’m a Christian because He chose me. That’s why we believers are an enigma to the world. The world believes I made the choice to go to a boring ol’church service when I could have gone golfing all day with a bunch of buddies. The world wonders if I’ve lost all common sense.

They can’t understand. They’re thinking something like, “Dan goes to church because he has to go to church.” They’ll project it to other world attractions: “Dan doesn’t get drunk or smoke dope or participate in orgies or rob banks or shoot people or slash car tires because he has to go to church.”

They can’t see the incredible, almost overwhelming, amount of peace I possess because the Creator God of the universe chose me. I don’t have to chase other ‘gods’ or idols, hoping to find meaning to my life or hoping to escape the life I have.

When God chose me, He put riches beyond measure at my disposal. Nevermore would I live deeply regretting the wagonload of bad things I had done. Nevermore would I shake with fear about lying in a dark coffin never to escape. 

When He breathed life into me, He brought life, not just for this day and time, but eternal life with Him in His paradise. He also brought purpose for this life, a much higher purpose, far above a mundane, 9-5 career.

Once I was alive, truly alive for the first time, He kept His promise to come and dwell within my heart. Upon His arrival, He began the process of growing His versions of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control in my heart. My life hasn’t been the same since.

Yes, Christians go to church on Sunday. Yes, the world doesn’t understand why. But when God chooses you, you wouldn’t want to do anything else.