June 2006

Sub-cultures are funny little creatures. The world is full of so many kinds.

When I visited the PA State Police Academy, I found an odd little one. Cadets, seen as the bootlicking minions, recoil and then slap to attention as superiors stride the halls. You can see smell the fear. They conform to the pecking order of the system rather than risk peril or rejection.

I visited a local farmers market and found the auction people form another wholly different subculture. They hunt for bargains and treasure amid the “trash”. A curious lot, they often have either a wild or glazed look in their eyes, and smell like fried food.

Once in a while I pursue the car show enthusiast subculture. They tenderly care for their classic vehicles as if they were flesh and blood members of the family. You could get a house with the money invested (a loose term) on these “trophies”. They wipe and clean them with soft diapers taking them out in only moderate weather. At the shows owner post excessive threats about keeping “hands off” to these prized soulless possessions.

It’s interesting to me that Christianity has it’s own strange subculture too. One that many on the outside can’t understand, (let alone wish to be involved.) Christians have their own music, their own clothing, their own movies, their own vacation spots, their own television stations, their own magazines, their own music festivals, their own slogans, their own artists, and so on and so on.

What makes subcultures function is the bubble in which they exist. A club or insiders mentality becomes ingrown keeping out the outsiders. It often even distorts reality. They loose their point of reference for what is peculiar, bizarre or unhealthy. The culture dictates behavior and norms.

The sad thing is that Christianity was never intended to be a club or a subculture. It was intended to reach others across cultures and transcend them with a message that Jesus came to redeem everybody. Yes, even people who are weird or sinners! (gasp.) Yes, even “gross” and sordid people! (double gasp) Yes, even addicts and perverts! Isn’t that shocking?! (It shouldn’t be.) The call to Christians is to reach out and love all people. To find their needs and meet them. To show them the power of God is unbelievable love. Just like our example, Jesus did.

Sometimes to “keep ourselves clean” we as Christians try to section our lives from the secular one. We think we’ll be better people if we don’t rub shoulders with the world, or we won’t be tempted as much if we don’t see the trappings and lies up close. That, my friends is a useless faith. It’s a selfish one. It’s half-truth, fiction. It’s a faith without action, or proof. It is not our true calling. I think a Christian subculture is a horrible idea if it means we don’t matter anymore because we like our bubble a certain way. No cussing, no booze, no problems to overcome. An erroneously pure habitat that is not salt of the earth anymore. It alienates the people we are to love and says, “You are not like us; you won’t fit in here.” We can do better, my friends! Follow Jesus to the streets, put your faith in action.

 James 2:14-17

 My friends, what good is it for one of you to say that you have faith if your actions do not prove it? Can that faith save you? Suppose there are brothers or sisters who need clothes and don't have enough to eat. What good is there in your saying to them, "God bless you! Keep warm and eat well!"—if you don't give them the necessities of life? So it is with faith: if it is alone and includes no actions, then it is dead.

 -In Jesus’ Name,

Lisa

Lisa DeLay

writer, speaker & founder of www.wit4life.com

ethoughts@verizon.net

570-385-2145