I have been an admitted “rebel” for as long as I can remember. Before I began to follow Jesus Christ I was a rebel. The launching of my identity as a true rebel was not directed toward my Mom, or “The Man”, it was turning the pinnacle of high school social life into a statement of my allegience to BeBop drumming. Our Senior Prom was scheduled on the same weekend that I had been invited to play with the Mesa State College #1 Lab Band at the University of Northen Colorado Jazz Festival. The headliner for the Festival was the Buddy Rich Big Band. Of course I chose Buddy over Prom. Given that, I never asked my girlfriend of a year and a half to the dance. About a week before the big day (the concert, not the Prom) she said, “we haven’t talked about where we’re going to dinner.” My rebellious insensitivity continued as I replied “What are you talking about? I never asked you because I won’t be there.” Surprisingly she didn’t say another word to me for about 10 years. She was a nice girl. She was the first person who shared the Gospel with me. I saw her a year ago and told her I am a pastor. She appeared pleased, a little bitter and amazed, but pleased. Clearly, my status as a rebel was established.
However, I have had an epiphany this summer thanks to David Foster. I am not a rebel! This would have shaken me to the core had he not described a truly engaging alternative. Here are the words he used to redefine my fervour for Jesus Christ.
Let’s dispel another myth - Renegades are not rebels. They’re not angry anti-socials. The sacred Scriptures say, “A rebel doesn’t care about the facts. All he wants to do is yell” (Prov. 18:2, LB). Rebels are angry people. They use anger as a mask to cover up their hurt and disappointment. Rebels look for someone to blame, something to hit, and something to run from or over. Renegades aren’t angry people. They are simply people who will not settle for less than the free, fun, fulfilling life for which they somehow know they were meant.
So I died to the rebel to live the abundant life of a renegade. I was never all that angry. I look for solutions instead of blame. And I don’t like to settle. I think this all-or-nothing, stand out instead of fit in, no room for whiners, life will suit me. There’s enough people running around yelling about what they are against. I’m going to celebrate the death of a rebel.
Renegade indeed, and an admirable one at that. Except the prom thing. Poor girl. Ah well, it’s all for the best anyway. Otherwise you may never have become a certified renegade AND a Christ follower. Plus, learned how to say “jowl.” Aren’t you glad you went to that concert?
Thanks for this. Whatever we call ourselves, may God’s revolutionary love be writ large on and through our lives.
As your pastor, I thought rebel fit you pretty well. But under the above definition, the word renegade may be a better fit. May the gates of hell rattle, shake, and be broken because of renegades like you.