Swimming Upstream

It's fitting that for Kirkin O' The Tartan we talked about how difficult it is to be a Christian, moving upstream, in a world that prizes conformity. Yesterday I talked about some of the ways the Christians have adopted the stance of the world in 2011. Today, it's time to focus on why we shouldn't.

Of course, this isn't easy. Nicky Gumbel, during the Alpha Course, noted that in the Western World, it's easier not to be a Christian than to be a Christian. He said that for a lot of reasons. First, there are a lot of distractions in this world. Second, we live a relatively blessed life that makes it easier to forget how big a role God plays in our lives. And third, we live in a world that values the idea of our culture and succeeding according to a cultural definition.

Earlier this fall I looked at the movie "Dead Poet's Society," and one of the ideas an scenes I liked in that movie is when Mr. Keating (Robin Williams) urges the students to forge their own path. During one scene, he has them march and, a group of students soon find themselves marching in lock step. He tells them that is peer pressure, and if they want to really find themselves, they can't be afraid to go against the grain.

There is a lot of pressure to conform and, conversely, a lot of pressure on those who don’t conform to step back into line. I love the example he used, just picking three kids at random and asking them to walk. Almost instinctively, they started marching in step with one another. No one wants to stick out or dare to be different. But at Christians we are called to be different. Jesus said we are “set apart,” but that seems to be something our modern church is losing.

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” We are supposed to stand against the cultural tide. We are supposed to stand on the principles of our faith. We are supposed to lead the way, not go with the flow. I love that quote from Robert Frost, “I saw two roads in the forest and I took the one that was less traveled.” That is what the Christian life is. It isn’t popular and it isn’t easy, but it is built on the solid rock foundation of the truth of Scriptures. We need to proudly declare that. In 2 Timothy 1:7 Paul says, “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” I see that in the lesson Keating gave his students, there was a power and freedom in their self-expression. And there is a power and freedom when we passionately live and defend our faith.

Which brings me to Tim Tebow. I love Denver and I couldn't be happier Tebow is a Bronco. I have written about him a few times, and many probably wonder why I love him. I love his passion and energy, but mostly I love the fact that he stands up for what he believes in despite living in a world — and specifically a profession — where that is seen as a liability.

I read an article this last week talking about how Tebow's play now reflects a belief in God. Many people are rooting against him simply because they believe God does not exist and they want to see Christians fall flat. Of course, he's hardly the first athlete ridiculed for his faith. People consistently called David Robinson soft because he is a Christian and his public professions of faith didn't fit some people's ideals of what a professional basketball player should be. But he just kept playing and quietly modeled his faith while helping the San Antonio Spurs win a championship.

I don't know how Tebow's career will go, and likely he'll always be a polarizing figure because he stands for something in a world that doesn't value what he stands for. There will always be those that spew hate toward him because of his profession of faith. But I hope he keeps "Tebowing," keeps putting up verses on his Facebook page each game day, and keeps following the words of Paul in the ways he fails to conform to our culture's idea of greatness.

I hope we can all say the same.