Weird Things About Our Faith

I have been thinking about how weird the Christian Faith is and how some of the things that we do, say or believe seem to be very weird in our culture:

• It is normal to hear God speaking to us as Christians, but weird to other people.  I know they often put people in psychiatric wards if they say the were talking to God, but that is the reality in which we live.  God has given us His Holy Spirit partly to guide, instruct and encourage.  These are things that are done with words.
• It is normal to forgive without asking for anything in return, but weird in our culture.  The true gift of forgiveness is demonstrated by Jesus on the cross, when, in the midst of being crucified he asked that this sin of killing him not be held against his killers!
• It is normal to be more concerned about other people than ourselves, but weird when shown by the media.  For the Christian it is not news when someone sacrifices for the benefit of someone else.  It is so normal that we often think nothing of it or may not even notice it.  Things that are normal don't make the news.  
• It is normal to be generous with what God has given us, but weird to those who seeking the American dream.  Giving away 10% is normal for the Christian.  The sacrifice of more is normal for the Christian.  Choosing to give to mission over buying a new TV is a no-brainer for the Christian but weird to a culture that seeks to accumulate possessions.
• It is normal to desire others to believe in the one truth we know is true, but weird to a pluralistic society that says there are many ways to God.  That's why Christians are tagged as non-tolerant haters.  We just don't fit the normal category in our world.

I am comfortable with being non-normal (weird).  Jesus never calls us to fit in.  He called us to stand out like light.  If being weird helps that light to shine, I'm in.