MSM: Crazy for Jesus

Today, I heard something I hadn’t heard in a long time—someone called me crazy. At first I was offended, but then I considered the source. It was someone who first met me when I was in my early teens. Back then, a lot of people had a different name for me—Jesus freak.

When you’re new in your faith and excited to tell people about Jesus, it’s easy to be a little overzealous. It’s also normal to suddenly find yourself not fitting in with people who aren’t on the same spiritual wavelength.

Most teens are insecure, and I was no different; after some time with my “label,” I drifted away from my stance, determined to shake the stigma. It doesn’t work very well, however, when your actions say one thing and your heart says something else. As much as I wanted to be a part of the “in” crowd, my heart still cried out for the Lord.

Many years later, I determined that trying to follow the world, while also trying to follow Jesus, wasn’t working for me. Ultimately, my love of God won out.

These days, if someone thinks I am crazy, I hope it’s just because I am crazy for Jesus. I mean, isn’t it crazy to love others when they don’t love you back? Isn’t it crazy to give to others, even when you’re struggling to make ends meet? Isn’t it crazy to forgive, even when someone has done something that to the world seems unforgivable? Isn’t it crazy to talk about a risen Savior and the gift of eternal life, when no one believes what they can’t see, and everyone just wants their best life now? And yet, all those crazy things are what Jesus asks us to do, if we are to be His followers.

I am reminded of a song by the band DC Talk that came out in 1995, but has stayed with me through the years. The chorus says: “What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus freak? What will people do when they find that it’s true? I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus freak; there ain’t no disguising the truth.”

The Bible says that if we are true Christians, people will know it by our love. So, if that’s the reason you or I are called crazy or Jesus freaks, then rejoice, because “Jesus freak” is a label we should all be willing to wear.

“By this all will know that you are My disciples,
if you have love for one another.” –John 13:35

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
–Matthew 5:11-12