The Cool Monster

I have a confession to make: I’ve always wanted to be “cool.” I even think I am cool sometimes (as cool as a dork can be). I’m not sure I know anyone who doesn’t want to be cool. Not that there’s anything wrong with cool. Or maybe there is…

When the desire to be “cool” becomes the most important pursuit in your life, there is a problem. When trying to keep the appearance of cool compromises the call God has placed on your life, it is wrong. So where does that leave us?

Here’s what I’ve noticed happening among Christians in my generation. We have pursued cool so much that we are blending in with the culture around us. I’m sure there are some who have tried to use the cool factor to win some to Christ. The motivation may have been good at the start, but on the whole I think we have become so enamored with cool that we have pushed Christ (and His call on our lives) to the side.

There are movements that promote being just like the world in order to win the world to Christ. I’ve seen, heard, and read about Christians who use foul language, smoke, drink, act, talk, and look just like those who have no relationship with Christ. We watch the same filth, listen to the same junk, laugh at the same jokes--the only difference is that we end up at church on Sunday mornings instead of sleeping in…sometimes. We often waffle back and forth on the importance of going to church--and then only if it is a “relevant” one with coffee, donuts, lights, sound, and video. Why not just talk about Jesus over a beer and hot wings while watching the big game on Sunday? That’s fellowship, right?

I’m sure there are some of you reading this thinking that I’m just speaking out against alcohol and tobacco. Not so. And I’m certainly not speaking out against hot wings and football. I’m aware of the verse in 1 Corinthians 9:22a that says “I have become all things to all men, so that by all possible means I might save some.” We’re quick to quote that verse out of context in order to justify our own behavior. Paul was talking about Jewish dietary laws regarding food sacrificed to idols. His decision was to abstain from that behavior (eating food sacrificed to idols, though he was free to do so), not indulge in it, in order to win some to the Lord. I’m just asking: what are we doing? And more importantly, who are we winning to Christ?

Bottom line: we are not called to be conformed to the world, but to be set apart. God hasn’t called us to be cool; He’s called us to be servants, to be holy, and to love each other with a sacrificial love (See 1 Peter 1-2, Colossians 3, and Romans 12). If “cool” is a result of our service, so be it. But it shouldn’t be the goal. The goal should be to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind,” and “Love your neighbor as yourself.”-- Jesus. That will reach the world. Cool.