Proud to be a “Jesus Freak”

Most people do not like being “labeled”.  By definition “label” is simply a short word or phrase descriptive of a person, group, movement, etc.  Labels are affixed for convenience sake, for they make it easy to sort people into categories.  “Oh, there goes a religious fanatic” or “Watch out, here comes that Jesus freak” are examples of labels people in the world put on us Christians.  I do not object to being labeled, as long as it is accurate.

I have been called, among other things, a “Jesus freak” since I was a teenager back many centuries ago.  What exactly is a “Jesus freak” anyway?  I realize that the very word “freak” is not used as much as it was many years ago, but I know people still “freak out” when they get shocked or stunned by something.  The questions that come to mind are whether Jesus was a “freak” and what it means to be a “Jesus freak”. 

I love the dictionary.  I love looking up the meaning of words.  Upon looking up the word “freak”, I was amazed to see all the ways it can be defined.  Gosh, one would think I would have looked this word up ages ago, as many times as I was called it, but I never did until today.  Why today?  You guessed it, I was recently called a “Jesus freak” again.

I would like to assume the usage of “freak” that is reflected in what I am called is:  a devoted fan or enthusiast (such as a baseball freak).  O.K., I can live with that.  I most certainly am a fan of Jesus and definitely an enthusiast.  But, somehow I don’t think this is the definition being implied by those who use it as an insult.  Freak is basically meant to describe an abnormal phenomenon or product or unusual object: an aberration.  Hmm, that is getting closer to the meaning I think is intended.  But, there is more.  Freak can also mean a person or animal on exhibition as an example of a strange deviation from nature.
 
You know what; I sort of like these definitions.  I don’t know if I object to being called an aberration or a deviation from nature, for that is exactly what I become when I put on the renewed mind and manifest the mind of Christ as opposed to my old nature.  By golly, perhaps these scorners have stumbled upon a very good description of us Christians.  Maybe we really are “freaks” after all.  Just so long as the definition being used is not:   habitual user or addict (such as a heroin freak).

All kidding aside, in the world’s eyes, we are strange people.  People who have no spirituality about them cannot figure us out.  They have no clue why we live the way we live, think the way we think or talk the way we talk.  They look at us as “freaks of nature”.  In their eyes we have a big horn between our eyes, or have six legs.  We are aberrations for sure.  Some laugh at us, and some feel sorry for us.  Some are afraid of us and some ignore us.  All look at us as freaks in one form or another.

Twenty years ago, my wife and I took our first trip to the animal shelter to find what became our “firstborn” dog.  I wanted a nice looking cocker spaniel that appeared to be a fine dog.  My wife kept being drawn to a strange looking white dog with only one eye.  This dog was on “death row” and was scheduled to be put down the next day if no one adopted her.  I didn’t want the dog because of how she looked.  My wife wanted the dog because of how she looked.  I am sure most of you know which dog we ended up getting.

“Pirate”, as we immediately named her, was our beloved and truly special pet for the next twelve years.  She ended up being a good of a dog as anyone could ever want.  Within a very short amount of time, we no longer saw her physical imperfections when we looked at her.  In our eyes she was perfect, no matter how she looked to anyone else.

We may look like “freaks” to those around us now, but if we stay faithful, keep growing in love and continue to renew our minds to God’s Word; we could easily turn into a thing of beauty to someone in dire need down the road.  So what if those who are only interested in this world’s praise think us to be weird.  So what if those who think themselves to be perfect because of their looks, money or influence turn in disgust when they see us coming.  So what if in their eyes we have a big “J F” (Jesus Freak) stamped on our foreheads.   Rest assured when Jesus himself walked this earth, he was considered far worse than a “freak” by his enemies. 

One of these days, one of these people will see their entire life fall apart before their eyes.  One of these days they will lose their career, their spouse, their home or their children and find all they lived for  thrust into a state of confusion and despair.  Suddenly, instead of being the “cool” one looking down on everyone else, they will be the crushed one desperately searching for anyone to love them and show them the way. 

Truth be told, when that day arrives, deep in their heart they will be praying for one of the “J F” people to come around.  Within their heart of hearts, they will scream out for one of those “freaks” they used to deride to appear in front of them to comfort, exhort and lead them out of their despair into the promised land of peace and joy in Christ.
 
Never despair if others call you names or look down upon your faith.   Simply remain faithful and know deep within, that someday soon those who think you crazy will be praying for you to help them.  Our job is to remain faithful and proudly wear our “J F” for all to see.   God will bring those who need us to us if we do.