One of the Christian artists I grew up listening to was D.C Talk.  They are most known for their song Jesus Freak. 

What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus freak
What will people do when they find that it’s true

A freak is “commonly used to refer to a person with something unusual about their appearance or behaviour”.  By following Christ, I eventually become the person who has love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  So by this standard, there is something unusual by appearance and behavior. 

I’ve been marked by my Maker
A peculiar display
The high and lofty, they see me as weak
Cause I won’t live and die for the power they seek

For years, I let the opinions of others loom larger than the truth – His truth.  I was more of a closet Christian – too afraid to open my mouth and share in His goodness; too afraid to stand out as someone different.  But as I have walked it out, sought His truth, and seen my own transformation in His eyes, hiding and shrinking back is no longer an option for me. 

I don’t really care if they label me a Jesus freak

There ain’t no disguising the truth

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us most. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and famous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in all of us. And when we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” – Maryanne Williamson

Maybe it’s time to shine your own light!  Give a display that is peculiar!