Hipsters: Christianity is more than a Style

One thing I like to do (a lot) is to analyze who I am, what I stand for, and how I define myself. I know, sound's kind of like a bad self-help book about how to be all you can be.
Yet, I find doing this once in awhile is neccessary.

It reminds me that behind this paranoid, punny, and righteous girl is someone real.

A reminder of why I am valuable, a reminder as to why God thinks I am to die for.

 John 8:12
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” ” (NIV)

As Christians, we have a duty that is called to serve God to the fullest of our abilities, yet it is hard to do that at times- or even imagining working that hard everyday.

Yet, by being ourselves and letting God lead us to where we are meant to be- just by living a life like Christ, we are able to inspire others to know Christ.

The hard part I think, is transitioning into the person you think you should be, who God wants you to be, and the image a Christian is perceived to be.

I'm not sure if you have heard of this, but there is thing called a "Christian Hipster."  These are Christians who dress artisticly, listen to nothing but Indie Christian music, and wear tight pants.

At least, that's what I think of.

I think being a "Christian hipster" would be pretty dog-gone cool.Yet, would looking like one really serve me any purpose if I am not able to communicate Christ efficiently?  People may think I look cool, may a hobo,  but Christianity is more than look or a fad.

By the way, I am not saying "Christian hipsters" are not adressing Christ efficiently.

I am stating that, unless we allow God to enter our lives internally- the image of ourselves will change inside and out.

However, the identity you pursue with your purpose as a Christian and reaching out will challenge you to do more, or less, than you feel is necessary.

It's important to not be like the phairsees in Jesus' day who claimed to be "Christian," looking like saints on the outside. However, a true Christian is one who seeks the beauty of Christ on the inside, not just the outside.

What turns people away from Christ are these hypocrites who claim to be perfect, claim to be holy or special, or consider themselves as right to judge.

• God is the ultimate judge.
• No one more special over anyone else
• And, no one is perfect!

Just because someone claims to know Christ does not necessarily mean they do, unless they do strive to live a righteous life.  We will never be perfect, but we are encouraged to be like Jesus who was perfect-if that makes sense.

What I am trying to address in this post is that, when you become a Christian- don't turn yourself into the image of a Christian. 

Instead, turn yourself to God and allow Him to create an identity of Christ within you.

Just because you may become a Christian, does not always mean you will lose who you are, more of modify and polish into someone who is more beautiful and wonderful!

Any growing relationship with God will always transform you into a person who has purpose and of use for God's plan.

^"3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. ⁴ Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. ⁵ But if anyone obeys his word, love for God^[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: ⁶ Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

 ⁷ Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. ⁸ Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

 ⁹ Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister^[b] is still in the darkness. ¹⁰ Anyone who loves their brother and sister^[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. ¹¹ But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them."

-1 John 2: 3-11