My kids on occasion tell me that I’m crazy. They usually tell me this while I’m playing a mean air guitar to some rock song. I like to do air drums from time-to-time, but I don’t feel I’ve got my moves down as well. When I go to add a cymball crash it just messes my whole flow up. I need more practice.
And there was this one time a neighborhood boy had to leave our house after seeing the Amy that comes out during K-State football games. She’s not pretty if we are losing and I cannot be held responsible for her words or actions. I believe the little boy’s words were, “This house is crazy! I’m outta here!”
And there are videos of late nights with my brother and sister where we came up with some interesting skits. We were inspired! But, one could watch them and get a sense that there is a touch of craziness in our family.
But, recently, I was called crazy by an atheist. I was on a forum, trying to write an answer that someone had about Christianity and the atheist popped up and let it be known that we were all “crazy.” Boy, he has no idea. Crazy? Why, yes, I think I am. But, he also went on to liken my belief in Jesus to believing in fairies. This is not uncommon. I’ve heard this before. “Christians’ belief in Jesus and God is about as believable as believing in Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and Easter Bunny,” they say. “They aren’t real, so neither is he.” Apparently, there is some idea going around that because Christians believe in Jesus, we also believe in childhood fantasy figures. So, in this blog, I thought I’d set the record straight.
My beliefs (and I’m pretty sure most other Christians):
Tooth Fairy–Well, I know she’s not real, cause I always forget to the put the dang money under the pillow. I have to leave inconspicious notes to remind myself.
Jack Frost–Does anyone really believe in him?
Sandman–I like the song “Enter Sandman” by Metallica.
Easter Bunny–No, don’t believe in him either. He creeps me out just a tad with his frozen stare at the mall photo setups. I mean, blink a couple times, for goodness sake!
Fairies–Uh, no, but my 8-year-old does and so I play along. But, I have never sat at my window as an adult and called out into the night for TinkerBell. She’s cute, though, I like her sassiness.
Imaginary friends–Look, I only bring them out when Dustin is gone. It gets seriously lonely at night when the kids are in bed. I need someone to watch movies with. When he’s home, though, it’s like they never were. Don’t judge.
Santa Claus–Yes and no. He was an actual person–St. Nicholaus, so I believe that man existed. I don’t believe in the jolly fat soul that shimmies down chimneys. I do like the spirit of Santa Claus, though, that promotes generosity and giving.
Jesus–Hands down, without a doubt, yes.
So, you see, I don’t have other beliefs in things that can’t be seen. I believe in just one on that list and if that makes me crazy than slap a straightjacket on me and throw me in the pen. I am guilty of crazy faith. Not because I’m looney-tunes, but because I am crazy about God, Jesus, and the whole Christianity thing.
But, I guess I get where the atheist is coming from. I mean, it is crazy to believe in someone that teaches us to lead a selfless life, when we are geared toward selfishness. Or that to truly find happiness in this life we need to find ways to serve. Or to love your enemies. Now, that is crazy talk right there. Another crazy thought is that forgiveness should be extended to those who don’t deserve it. I mean, who teaches this kind of stuff? Well, someone I want to follow like a crazy fool.
To smack the label “crazy” or “brain-washed” or “delusional” on a Christian or a religious person is just someone’s way of trying to shame you for your beliefs. When you got nothing better to say, call names, right? Jesus lived a crazy life. We have testament to that because no one-NO ONE-has impacted history like Him–even 2000 years later. Why? Because He lived as no other has and He committed a crazy, insane act of love that brings a lot of people to their knees. I’ve got a touch of Him in me and maybe, with his grace, that craziness comes out from time to time. I’d like it to be more often, but that’s my own fault that it doesn’t.
Like the quote says above, the Christian life should make no sense to an unbeliever. Our lives should be crazy, passionate, and intriguing. I’m okay with being called a “crazy Christian.” I’ll take it as a compliment and wear it like a badge of honor.
