TEENUP - Put On For What You Believe

In the summer before my freshman year of college, I attended an engineering program at the University of Michigan designed to help prepare and acclimate promising high school seniors to the academic and social rigors of college life. We lived on campus, ate the dormitory food, and took classes. During this summer, I built up quite the reputation for myself. I was the "wannabe" tough cat from Chicago who knew everything, loved to debate and a jokester who was rarely serious.

One day, a couple of the students and I were playing around in the computer lab after class - making drum beats and just hanging out. I overheard one of the guys talking about how he plays for his church.  I used to play the drums so I inquired. He told me he loves playing for his church, but was very upfront and clear that he did not believe in God or anything unintelligent like that - he just liked playing the drums. I was appalled, and quickly morphed from my normal, overly silly self into a serious/defending-the-faith mode. I was (and still am) convinced that the existence of God and our faith in Him is more than intelligent; its the highest form of human contemplation. Our pursuit of the knowledge of God is the greatest science and the most meaningful task. I explained to him how the existence of God is so clear, obvious and self-evident; then this and that - I was on a roll. We had a great convo, but his initial response cut deep and resonates with me even today. He said, "Wow, you are a lot smarter than you act!"

WOW! Those words rocked me. I was not sure how to take that - was it a compliment or a harsh criticism? Perhaps both. Either way, his comment cut me deep, but it also lead to me realize something significant. Representing Jesus Christ, as I was so amped to do back in those days, involves more than just what I say, but also how I behave.  I had, and still have, a responsibility to show off God, to Put On for Jesus; to represent Him with my speech and with my actions; in other words, in all aspects of my life.

A few weeks ago, my youth group and I were just talking about this same concept as we discussed evangelism or sharing the good news. As teenagers, we are geeked and excited to talk about gossip, rumors, new kicks and gear, making the sports team and things like that; yet we tend to shy away from sharing what we believe about Jesus. We should be unashamed to do this, but it's important to also remember that sharing the faith is not just a 'verbal' thing; its also a 'behavior' thing - a 'way of life' thing. In fact, many times we even behave in manners that are inconsistent with our beliefs and what we claim our beliefs to be. Maybe you are the loud obnoxious kid, the liar, the gossip, the bully or the jerk. Is the way we are acting and speaking reflecting the faith in Christ that we claim to have?

Not too long ago a rapper came out with a song saying "I put on" for my city. In the song he was saying he represents and showcases the things that are important to him. Friends, we are to showcase and represent what is important to us as well - what we believe. We are to Put On for Jesus - in our speech, our actions, our thoughts, our motives - everything.

The Christian Rapper Flame, perfectly illustrates this point in his new song, "Believe"  (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1_7EmMXrfI) where he rhymes:

Put that red dot on me, Drop me from where I stand

Absent from the body, Present with Him

And while I'm in the body, Baby I'm puttin' on,

The aroma of Christ, Can u smell my cologne?

It's a strong fragrance, Just let it permeate,

my life and my speech should speak my statement of faith

Because what I believe is more than mental consent

but it's the truth in it, that should lead men to repentance..

Flame is beautifully saying that He gives his all for Christ...even to the death. If he dies, he is with the Lord. But as long as he has life, as long as he is breathing,  he is putting on for Jesus. In fact, he is literally putting on Jesus. Our aroma should smell like Jesus. When people hear us and watch us they should see Jesus. Our life and our speech should speak our statement of faith - faith in Jesus Christ. That is the point - that is why we are here on earth. Being a Christian is more than just mentally acknowledging there is a God, because our belief in Him pours out intentionally into our speech and actions - into our way of life. Friends, let's truly put on for what we believe. Let's show the world what we represent! Don't be like me and accused of having a life and behavior that is inconsistent with your speech (or what you claim your belief to be).

Weekly Challenge

• Listen to the "Believe" song on youtube - (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1_7EmMXrfI) 
• What parts of this song are impactful and resonate with you? 
• Take 10 minutes and do a little self-examination of your speech and behavior. Evaluate whether your life and speech speak your statement of faith. Do they showcase Jesus? Are your actions consistent with your beliefs and your speech? How well do you put on for Jesus? 
• List out some things you put on for more than Jesus. In what ways can you put on for Jesus more than what you do now? Does Jesus come first in your life, or is secondary to your wants and desires?