This week's devotions are written by Redeemer member Katie Kent.
In 1995 a Christian Rock band named DC Talk released a single entitled "Jesus Freak". The Chorus of the song is as follows:
What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak?
What will people do when they find out it's true?
I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak.
There ain't no disguising the truth.
This upbeat mix of rap and heavy metal took the Christian Pop music world by storm. The album's first week sales were the highest in history for a Christian band. I remember I was in college and a bunch of my friends were proudly wearing t-shirts that simply said "Freak". Though I didn't have a t-shirt, I did put a line from the song on my email signature. It said "People say I'm strange. Does it make me a stranger that my best friend was born in a manger?"
Our society has a tendency to put negative labels on people because they are different from the norm. If you are considered a "freak", more often than not it's a bad thing. Something about you makes you strange or weird. You can become an outcast.
Connection: Our world today seems ruled by violence, deceit, and empty promises. These things completely contradict what it means to be a follower of Jesus. So, it is possible that when we share the Good News, and when we promote peace and truth, we are in fact separating ourselves from those that do not share our point of view. To them, we can be considered strange, weird, or even freaks.
It is very hard to stand up for what you believe in when that view may not be the popular way to think. By doing so, you may subject yourself to name calling, ridicule, and/or intense debate. But if you think it is difficult today to speak out, think about what the early Christians had to face.
There was a man from the desert with naps in his head
The sand that he walked was also his bed
The words that he spoke made the people assume
There wasn't too much left in the upper room
With skins on his back and hair on his face
They thought he was strange by the locusts he ate
The Pharisees tripped when they heard him speak
Until the king took the head of this Jesus freak
Heavenly Father, embolden us today. Help us to gladly accept the label of Jesus freak, and continue spreading Your Word. Amen
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