Wearing Your Colors

Part of my Thanksgiving weekend festivities included attending the Michigan State vs. Northwestern football game. My son, Jesse, is an MSU grad, and he had gotten tickets through the principal of the school where he teaches. She is also an MSU grad.

The weather wasn’t the greatest...a steady drizzle all day which made it seem colder than it really was. We arrived early and walked around the stadium. I was shocked at the number of MSU supporters at the game. They were easy to spot. All decked out in their green and white Spartan gear. Once we were in the stadium it seemed as if there were almost as many Spartan supporters as there were Northwestern fans.

Our seats were in the middle of the Northwestern cheering section. The Northwestern band and students were one section over from us and the people around us all were sporting their purple Northwestern colors. It was clear we were in enemy territory. However, we were not to be deterred. We stood and cheered every MSU touchdown with great enthusiasm. We were not concerned at all about what those around us might think or say.

As I thought about that this past week, I wondered whether I would be as bold in obviously hostile situations to my faith. When you are a pastor, the majority of your time is spent with people who are on your side; people who believe in Jesus and who are anxious to discuss faith issues. In fact, I have had to be purposeful in engaging people who do not share my faith views. I actively try to engage in situations and with people who are not believers. It takes more effort for those of us who serve as full-time Christian professionals than those who do not. But I have rarely found myself in hostile situations.

Would I have the courage of Daniel who maintained his faith and his faith habits in spite of threats of persecution?

Would I have the confidence of the Apostle Paul who entered into situations where people were obviously hostile toward Christianity?

There are thousands of Christians around the world who deal with persecution every day because of their faith.

Persecution doesn’t just happen in foreign countries. Chris has not been raised in a home where Christianity was practiced. She became a Christian in college and after college felt called to some kind of mission work. Her biggest obstacle was her family. Her father couldn’t understand why she would throw away such a promising future to pursue mission work. He considered Christianity to be laughable and only something that weak people would embrace. For Chris to pursue her calling, it would cost her a relationship with her parents. Chris followed God’s call.

In the same situation, would I?

I would like to think so, but I wonder. I wonder because, thankfully, it has never been necessary for me to do so. Certainly I have had conversations with doubters, and I have been in situations where faith was in the minority, but I never felt like I was threatened or that important relationships were in jeopardy.

I pray that I will wear my Christian colors boldly, in all situations.

Oh yeah, by the way, MSU won!