CHRISTIANITY ISN'T ANY FUN

Many people in our culture have a warped view of Christianity. They think it's all so serious and sacrificial that no one in their right mind would want to consider being one when they consider the alternatives. Of course it isn't helped by Christians who behave like they perpetually get up on the wrong side of the bed, or constantly talk about "duty and responsibility" with a pained expression and through gritted teeth. Or Christians who are so un-serious about their faith that a person outside the faith wonders why anyone would bother with a lifestyle that does require reading the Bible or wasting your Sunday morning in a boring church service.

Such a view comes easily to a culture where "having fun" and "feeling good" are core values. Being bored is considered an unpardonable sin. Making a sacrifice is only acceptable if you get an award, a tax credit, or air time on Letterman or Leno. When the credo is "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas", then any lifestyle that expects accountability to a higher Being is not a comfortable fit. And much of our culture is predicated around achieving comfort.

But fortunately that is not the only value swimming around in our culture. There are people who believe that significance is more important than success. There are those who want their efforts to count, to make a difference; not simply earn an entry on Facebook. There are th0se who believe that we should be concerned about our planet's well-being, justice for the oppressed, and the plight of the poor.

And not all of these persons are Christians. We don't have the market cornered on altruism and self-sacrifice. Nor are all the shallow me-firsters among the pagans. A whole lot of Christians can be numbered among the selfish and the comfortable.

Christians really do have a lot of fun. If you think that you have not been to places like Creation 2010 or on the golf course with a bunch of guys who love Jesus and golf. You have not sat in a Chondra Pierce or Ken Davis comedy concert and laughed your head off at clean routines. You have not let loose with a black gospel choir on a Sunday morning, nor have you been to stunt night at a church camp.

But Christians have a different priority and goal than simply enjoying themselves. They desire to be a blessing. They take their joy (which is a whole lot deeper and more significant than simply having a fun time) from creatively sharing the pleasure of being loved by God and being invited to be the instrument of His love. Think Extreme Home Make Over and you then add it to a sense of calling and gifting by God to really transform someone's life and help them get a fresh start and you begin to see what genuine Christians are all about.

Christianity isn't any fun? Instead of believing the rep, try the walk for yourself.