I just can’t wear a plain pair of socks anymore.
A few years ago my family got me a fun pair of socks at Christmas that I wore to work a few days later. Someone at my office noticed my socks and said, “Fun socks, Mark!”
The next time I went to the store I was drawn to the sock section and bought a couple more pairs of fun socks. I was addicted! And to this day I just can’t wear a plain pair of socks anymore—there has to be some kind of funky design or theme that will start a conversation when someone catches a glimpse of my socks.
Young adults don’t want a faith that is “normal.” They are looking for a faith that is dynamic and different. They don’t want a faith that necessarily looks like everyone else’s, but a faith this is vibrant and real. Simply said, young adults don’t want a boring faith!
As we journey alongside young adults, we have an opportunity to help them see how a walk with Jesus is anything but ordinary.
What does a young adult life that is following Jesus look like? Here are a few thoughts:
1. A life that is not ordinary is full of trust.
Many of us want to have every detail of our lives planned out. However, a life that is deeply following Jesus doesn’t have everything figured out. There may be questions about relationships, occupations, or living locations. And a follower of Jesus that deeply trusts the Lord will be more open to the places that may not be as exciting or glamorous. A life that is not ordinary may relocate to a remote village of the world to take care of orphan children or to an inner city drug rehab facility that loves addicts and points them to Jesus. Choosing to make hard decisions requires full trust and hope.
Psalm 9:10 says, “Those who know your name trust in you because you have not abandoned those who seek you, LORD.”
2. A life that is not ordinary is forgiving.
We live in a time that people want to always blame someone else and hold a grudge for any wrong that may have been done against us. Forgiveness is not a common characteristic in people today. And sometimes, even Christians don’t forgive others for wrongs done against them.
However, a life that is not ordinary will be forgiving. Forgiving for being blamed for something that we did not do. Forgiving when someone else got the job. Forgiving when someone lies to us. A life that is forgiving is far from ordinary.
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4:32)
3. A life that is not ordinary will serve others.
Jesus consistently showed us what it looks like to care for others. Those who are on the fringe. Those who are forgotten. Those no one wants to touch. A life that is not ordinary will be a life that deeply cares for people of all races, ethnicities, economic statuses, and personalities. An unordinary life will have a servant’s heart that reflects the love of Christ in all that is done.
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:45)
I so enjoy going to my sock drawer today because if is full of fun socks that simply are not ordinary. But even more so, I’m THANKFUL that the Lord has called me to a life that is not meant to be ordinary, but a life that is meant to be reflective of a Savior that transformed my life.
Mark Whitt is a collegiate minister with Baptist Collegiate Ministry at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. Connect with Mark via Twitter.