Faith may appear madness to the uninitiated

It has been said, “Those who dance are thought to be quite insane by those who cannot hear the music”

Sanity is defined typically by what is considered common behavior within a given society. Those behaving within the parameters of their peers are accepted usually as normal or sane. Those stepping outside of these norms risk having their stability questioned.

So, imagine a deaf person, who has never heard music, trying to understand the actions of dancers. Their rhythmic gyrations would no doubt appear quite bazaar, leaving the deaf person wonder, “What’s wrong with them?”

This idea holds true for Christianity. We could paraphrase the quote by saying, “Those who believe in God are often thought quite insane by those who do not.” People who live dedicated lives to Jesus Christ are often misunderstood by those who never have encountered the grace of God. Commitments, behaviors and disciplines exercised by the devout can come across as ridiculous to those uninitiated into the faith.

The Apostle Paul recognized this discrepancy when he wrote that He preached the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. To some the message was received as foolishness, to others a confusion that caused people to stumble. (1 Corinthians 1:23)

The difference of views is determined by the experience of the message. Some denounce the Christian faith without ever taking time to listen to the music. Perhaps if they would, the actions of the faithful would not appear as strange. In fact, they might even join in the dance.

Pastor Mark Holmes is an ordained minister in the Wesleyan Church and has served the Darrow Road Wesleyan Church since 1997.

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