Be Weird

13 Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow ant the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14)

I have been telling our students recently to be “weird”. Often times in culture, the most popular thing – the “normal” – doesn’t work. It’s the weird who go on to create and innovate, while the normal are settling and compromising.

Quick rundown of “normal”: divorce, debt, brokenness, stress, overwork, resentment, unforgiveness

Our lives are too short for this to be our descriptors. Jesus always calls us to be different. One look at the Bible, doctrine, and church will tell you there is something incredibly weird about God. Yet many try to make our faith “relevant” or “hip”. Make no mistake, it is not.

And this is why it works. Change is hard. Our fear of not fitting in often trumps our need for change. It is in these times that we must define our legacy. Will it be one of fear or courage? I am always surprised when our kids understand the depth of their influence. Their choices are seen by a curious community of “normal” people. Family, friends, and adults are examining the choices they (and we) make. Their choice to step out gives courage for the rest of us.

Today, be of the few. Walk the weird path and blaze a trail that bucks at the norm. Trust in the narrow.