Have you ever worried that you would look like a nerd if you love:

1. Math
2. Reading
3. Board games
4. Puzzles
5. Red or purple eyeglasses
6. Dressing in vintage clothing
7. Science
8. History
9. Studying things no one else does
10. Jesus

Our preacher mentioned in church on Sunday that he had homeschooled his two boys, now young men. But he took a different approach than many Christian homeschoolers. He exposed his boys to movies and other worldly things that most Christian homeschoolers steer away from. It gave him an opportunity to talk with his boys about deep subjects and train them on how to handle “things of the world”.

I homeschooled my children, and although I followed that same approach — tried to expose them to things that we could discuss so they would understand more about the world — in every picture I look back on… we still looked like a family of nerds.

I looked around at the people at church on Sunday. The church we attend believes it is okay to come casually dressed so everyone feels comfortable. I still feel an urge to dress up a little more in honor of the Lord (Think about the ornate Priest robes of the Old Testament that was dictated by God.) because something in me tells me… He might desire that. And you don’t have to be rich to do that. Many people dress “fit to be killed” from Goodwill and other thrift stores.

But the point is… as I looked around… I think we all looked a little bit like nerds.

I think….

as hard as we try, when we love Jesus and follow Him, there is an aura that follows us that makes us look separate from the world, no matter how hard we try to look like we blend in. The preacher’s whole concept was to be able to go into the world and reach others. And… it is good to know how to interact and have conversations by knowing a few things about the world. All true.

But Jesus says in John 17:6 that we are not of this world.

2 Corinthians 6:17 says, “Therefore, ‘Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.”

Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Ephesians 4:17 through chapter 5 tells us how to live as Christians. And I can tell you right now, it doesn’t look anything like the world.

Maybe our true purpose is to follow the concept of how they tell if a $100 bill is a counterfeit. You study the real thing to recognize the fake. You study Jesus in the Bible and the people close to God who are living it out, and try a little more to understand how they lived (Jesus) and are living (people) life versus how the people “of the world” are living life. And you study the Ephesians verses to show you the way, even more so if you don’t have others living the way they should around you.

I don’t really know… just thinking out loud.

What are your thoughts on how much a Christian should know about the world and how much we need to shield ourselves from the world?

I think I might be okay with just being in a group of…

NERDS FOR JESUS!

And let the world accept that!

Have a great week!