Faith in the Fast Lane

I think sometimes the truth is the hardest thing to hear — especially, when it comes out of left field.

I was out with someone recently, and we were chatting and somehow, the conversation all of a sudden got deep. And in so many words, he told me that he had a bunch of friends he’d love to set me up with, but couldn’t because of my “lifestyle choices.“

Now, typically, when someone hears “lifestyle choices,” a slew of destructive habits come to mind: smoking, drugs, reckless behavior that puts a person’s body at risk…

Well, my “lifestyle choice” he was referring to, was my Christianity.

Now look, before I get too ahead of myself here, this is a great guy. His comment was coming from his heart, with the best of intentions, albeit said clunkily. But, great guy. No hard feelings whatsoever.

But this comment…it sucked to hear. And it punched the wind right out of me.

And in the moment, I just kinda laughed it off, whatever. But I’m going to be honest — that sinking feeling stayed with me. Was I really so undesirable because of my faith? Is my faith considered “baggage?” And I woke up the next morning, still feeling pretty crappy.

I shook it off, and went about my day, and being Sunday, that meant going to Mass.

Well, wouldn’t you know — that God had just what I needed to hear all queued up for me in the readings.

MT 5:11-12 “Blessed are you when they insult you…because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.“

Yup. The freakin’ beatitudes. As though God knew that little ol’ me would need a serious pick-me-up after the gut punch the night before.

I’m going to be honest. Typically, when the beatitudes are read, I hate to admit it — but I tend to tune out a bit. I mean, I’ve heard them over and over since I was a kid.

And not to mention, I typically don’t really internalize them all that much. I mean, let’s face it: in 2019, as a young millennial New Yorker…meek is not really a virtue I possess.

But that morning, the beatitudes hit me in a different way. A personal way. Because for the first time, they applied to me: I had been criticized for my faith.

The climate today among young people is incredibly tough to navigate. At least in New York City, following Jesus is seen as a bit of an “alternative lifestyle choice.” One that is seen as inconvenient. Antiquated. And, in its worst judgement: narrow-minded.

Blessed are you when they insult you…because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

One of the things I’m particularly guilty of is getting too caught up in the here and now. I mean, I’m incredibly guilty of that. I care too much about fashion. About being out and about. About the latest hotspot, going here, trying this. I love the fast life that is right here, right now – Don’t blink or you’ll miss it.

But the fact of the matter is that, our purpose is not here and now, but there…Heaven.

We were created for Heaven, and this earth is just a temporary home. We’re merely passing through.

Christianity is not a wide, beautifully paved road. No, it is the narrow, difficult path, that’s full of treacherous terrain.

And as a result, many people won’t understand why a person would make that “lifestyle choice.”

But I want to just encourage you, because God reminded me that morning in Church…Yeah, I may face some light insults. But it is nothing that Christ hasn’t already endured. And why did He endure such insults? For me. Because He loves me that much.

I choose to love God because He loved me enough to shed His blood for.

I cannot deny that. I cannot turn away from that beautiful act of incredibly selfless love. The love that rescued me, and is truly, the reason I’m here today.

So I guess, bring on the judgement. Does it sting? Yeah. But grand scheme, Caralyn. Grand scheme.

“This is what the Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.” Ez 37:5

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