Decisions of a Disciple

This past weekend was the first time in quite a while that I had an urge to actually go out to a club and have fun. It was Saturday night and I had been trapped in the house all day on Friday and most of Saturday due to the snow and ice Atlanta experienced throughout the week. I was scheduled to go hang out with some of my friends on Friday night to celebrate a birthday, but couldn’t get out of my immediate area due to ice on the streets.

However, Saturday night I had the urge to go out, like really, really, really go out and party. I wanted let my hair down and have some good old fun like most people in our society do. I’m not sure if it was a lapse in my spiritual armor, but the urge definitely caught my attention. It then came to my attention that no matter what ‘it’ was, I was not going to be able to participate. You see…once I accepted my call into ministry I forfeited the opportunity to do as the majority do. As a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, I have to provide an example that promotes the lifestyle of His Word no matter what I ‘want’ or ‘feel’ like doing. I do sometimes miss the option of partying at the local club to release the stress of my week. However, I know that my influence has the ability to cause someone to stumble if I’m not careful in the decisions I make personally.

I have an issue with preachers who ‘publicly’ flaunt around with a Heineken or Hennessy in their hands on Saturday night but then turn around and preach the Gospel on Sunday mornings. Notice I said walk around drinking publicly. If he/she desires to have a drink within the confines of their home or among other strong believers, then he/she should be able to do so. As a minister and Christian, we have to make decisions that won’t cause those around us to stumble.

Unfortunately, I am often ostracized from friend invites and sometimes shunned by those in the church because of the lifestyle I’ve chosen to live. It hurts to know that people may avoid being a part of the ministry I lead because I won’t support certain beliefs and/or behavior (clubbin’, sexin’, drinkin’ in excess, etc.). My beliefs have led me to be sometime labeled as a loner, boring and even funnier…GAY…LOL. I am in no way condemning the lifestyle choices of others because this entry is neither targeting homosexuality nor taking the role of judge. The reality is that I enjoy having fun like the next man. I enjoy beautiful women like the next man. I have sexual urges (toward women) just like the next man. I have just made a conscious decision to take road that will lead to a better destination.

I remember reading that making a decision to live for Christ will cause others, even those considered close to you, to resent/persecute you. As a result, I’m cool with being somewhat rejected because it lets me know that I’m walking in the same footsteps as Christ. What about you? se lah

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