There’s No Shame In Being “Too Christian” If It Means You’re A True Christian

I grew up as a weird person surrounded by a lot of other "weird" people. As a teenager trying to figure out their identity it was so hard to only focus on God when I had the mindset of trying to find out who I was and how to fit in. Obviously the short answer was to only listen to God and not the opinions of others but for any human, that is a challenge you either choose to accept or decline. When letting the voices of the world in it becomes an impossible challenge on one's own power apart from God.

Everyone who has struggled with their faith has made the assumption about someone at some time in their life that they are just "too christian" or have obscured rituals, rules or boundaries for themselves. The person who dresses for no one else, is extra optimistic all the time, doesn't so much as say anything foul, only listens to christian music etc. Let me note... (there are genuine legalistic groups and cults that identify as christian who are a rule based system and not spirit led, that's not the people I'm talking about here. Not the "Christian's who live strict lifestyles based off the fear of man made rules and regulations.). I'm talking about The genuine believers who dedicate their whole lives to Christ in every aspect that it stands out and looks "weird" to the unbeliever or the "fake believer". When I was growing up I had a negative view toward a lot of the boundaries christian families set in place including my own. I grew up with lots of christians and I remember specifically thinking kids were losers (including myself) because we were deprived of secular music, worldly shows, phones, trendy clothes etc. I associated being overly nice with being fake, being modest with being frumpy, and being sheltered as not having anything to relate to or talk to friends about. Honestly, I saw a lot of non spirit led people implementing these rules on their families and based off of seeing their fruitless-ness it turned me away from wanting to do good and seek God. I desired more to be friends with the "rebellious kids" or the ones who break the rules and are seen as more popular, rather then the good sheltered ones because I thought they all were fake.

Growing and maturing has taught me that many of those happy-good people weren't only living their lives that way because their strict parents made them, but rather they had a personal relationship with Jesus and knew those are healthy habits to have. Growing up not understanding fully why I was so different caused a rebellious spirit in me and made me want to try everything to fit in and look more like the world. I found that the people in that category turned out to be the least reliable and more fake than the nice people I thought were fake. I learned how to tell the difference between a Spirit led Christian and a rule based christian that have lots of strong opinions and judgments.

As I've grown in my faith the last couple years, I am happy to say that I am at a place where I could care less what people think about what I wear, wether or not I listen to secular music, curse, drink etc. I have learned that when I am seeking God, sometimes social media really is a big distraction, sometimes secular music deteriorates my joy, and sometimes bad movies cause dreams of evil things and get into my deep thoughts. Without having legalistic rules that I "have to" follow... I set healthy boundaries based on my experience with God and how the things affect my relationship with Christ.

I realize now that being "too Christian" really truly is nothing to be ashamed about if it means that I am a true Christian in relationship with the one true God. There are one of two reasons people live their lives set apart from the world. One-they have a fear of God and desire to follow Him. Two-they have a fear of man and have a desire to please them. Growing up I didn't understand the difference between these two groups and I put everyone into categories without realizing the spiritual aspect of things. I realize now that you can't be "Christian" and your life goal be to try and fit in or be more worldly with juggling christianity at the same time. We are called to be holy and set apart and when it's motivated by a desire for relationship with God there is nothing more fulfilling and special!