There is something I have noticed about kids who have grown up in the church. For sure there is abuse in the church, just as there is everywhere. As Mrs. Banks, in Mary Poppins says, “all though we adore them individually, we agree that as a group they’re rather stupid.” This is true of followers of Christ too. Being human is a messy adventure.
Some folks, ok, all folks are messy individuals. Some are better at wrapping it in a pretty bow and making it look good, but their lives are messy too. They may have pretty hair, nails, clothes, and cars. But poop wrapped with a bow, is still smelly, nasty poop. And all humans are messy.
Those who have grown up deep fried in Christianity, smoothered in do’s and don’ts, and cautious warnings “don’t go with those who do” have some misconceptions I would like to address.
Here goes, tattoos, piercings, drinking alcohol, swearing and dying your hair does not make you rebellious. Listening to heavy metal music doesn’t make you rebellious. I’m sorry to pop your rebellious bubble, but it doesn’t.
Now, I do think you are intelligent enough to not swear in everyday conversations. You surely have a better vocabulary and taste than that. Don’t get me wrong a well placed f-bomb can be fitting depending on the when and where. It’s basic respectful skills to not swear around those who don’t. I myself as a youngling swore like a sailor, it was not tasteful and I certainly don’t do it now. Nor do I allow my kids to do such. We also talk about how it’s distasteful. Titus once dropped his tackle box and his fishing pole in the lake, he was so mad. He looked at me and said, mom, can I swear? I said, I don’t care. And he gave a well placed s-bomb. Then he was done.
Hair color – is just hair color. Be adventurous, find out if that’s for you, does it open your soul, does it connect you to the Lord? But know, it’s just hair.
Heavy metal music while it’s not my personal thing, is Mark’s thing. He is not anymore of a heathen than he was before. lol We do talk with our kids how if a certain music, song, artist cause depression, anger, or feelings that don’t bring them joy then to cut them out. For me personally Allanis Morsett is one of them. Whatever it is with her music is not good in my brain, so I don’t listen to her songs anymore.
Drinking alcohol. The only thing scripture warns is to not get drunk. Why? Because you do stupid things when you’re drunk. Your liver doesn’t appreciate the abuse either. A delicious cocktail, craft beer (no one has time for bad beer – better to have no beer than bad beer).
Friends, I encourage you not to take out on God, what his people have done in his name. I am not justifying abuse in the church. Never, ever. I apologize for that before quite a bit, actually.
Know that Jesus loves you with purple hair, he loves you with a fowl mouth, he knows why your heart is set as it is. But, know, hair dye, swear words, tattoos and piercings do not separate you from the love God.