“Hey, Brandon,” she said, bouncing up to the counter – not a coworker, but the girlfriend of one, whom I didn’t know from Adam – “Do you know the difference between a cheeseburger and a [sexual reference]?”
I groaned.
No. I don’t know the difference between those things, and I’ve as much desire to find out as to go dumpster-diving on Main Street during rush hour.
I looked at them with what I hoped was a world-weary half-grin.
“C’mon. Enough for one night,” I said.
They relented good-naturedly.
I’m trying to be gracious. I don’t want to be THAT Christian, the one who gets all debilitated because unbelievers act like unbelievers. You have to let this stuff slide off your back in environments like this.
Plus, I actually enjoy this particular coworker. He’s got solid character (albeit a one-track mind) and I consider him a friend. Burning bridges over this stuff doesn’t necessarily help when you’re trying to share Christ.
But this stuff does get tiring.
I’m getting flashbacks to the “locker room talk” of my Air Force days. That was ten times worse, of course, thanks to the privacy of our launch truck. But my current friend’s constant attempts to “hook me up” at nearby bars (and cruder things) are definitely familiar. I don’t need that kind of help, thank you.
I think of friends who got slapped with the “goody two shoes” label in high school. I remember it was frustrating for them. The world can acknowledge your holiness and still find a way to mock you for it. Some end up ditching that righteousness (think Nancy from Stranger Things), thinking, I suppose, that they’re missing out.
Fight that belief.
The world is holding out a cheap, greasy cheeseburger while God offers a feast.
In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. (1 Peter 4:4, NKJV)
It’s comforting to know that God has planted affirmations in his Word for these moments.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and celebrate, because great is your reward in heaven; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. (Matthew 5:11)
The world intends an insult. God makes it a badge of honor.
Isn’t it odd how the world regards purity as the worst-case scenario? There are even movies on the concept. I don’t get it. (It’s a distant cousin of thinking singleness is the worst possible outcome, but that’s a separate rant…)
Disobeying God is always the worst outcome. I see people regularly getting all the “action” they want and looking absolutely miserable day in and day out. Don’t undervalue how much you’ve dodged because of your purity.
You got those “goody two shoes” from God. Wear them with confidence.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:14-15)
“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15b)
Brandon J. Adams 
Hang in there Brandon, you’ll survive and sometimes the ribbing you get is a subtle form of admiration, in a twisted kind of way. Blessings!
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Yes, there is that, too, I suspect, at least from some people. The others just do think it strange. That’s ok. I AM strange to the world.
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Well said, Brandon.
For me it was about people and drinking/addiction. Don’t be a stick in the mud, a goody two shoes, judgmental. I actually had a good friend who crushed me by accusing me of being “set apart.” Finally a pastor told me that the very definition of “set apart” is actually holy. I thought I was just a social outcast, a reject. Years later I realized I had just been surrounded by addicts, alcoholics. I actually wasn’t the odd duck at all.
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You made a good point there, “goody two shoes” is kind of a synonym for “holier than thou”.
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Brandon, I can’t tell you how many mistakes I made in my youth because I wanted to fit in, to “run with the pack”. I spent my 20s touring with various rock & roll bands so I’ll let your imagination do the dirty work concerning what I was exposed to and tempted by. Keep taking the high road. You’ll never regret saying “no” to committing what you know is a sin, even if you have to suffer ridicule for a brief time.
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I’ll give my imagination a pause. Thanks for your testimony!
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Thank you for this! I love so many things about it!
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You’re welcome, Kathleen. Hope you enjoyed your holiday!
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Yeah… again, you aren’t missing much – unless you count shame, self-loathing, bitterness, potential for disease, etc., etc. as “much…”
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Worst cheeseburger ever.
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Indeed!
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Bravo! You are an inspiration, Brandon! Keep on keeping on! Love this post.
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Glad you dropped by, Lynn. 🙂
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Your timing couldn’t be more prefect. I became painfully aware this holiday weekend that I am the family “goody-two shoes” and while I don’t plan on changing, it’s been a tough label to come to terms with. This reminder and that verse from Matthew was just what I needed.
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Never change for anyone but God!
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Oddly I have found that they are seeking your solid steadiness in their lives they assume they know how you will respond but are still wanting that reassurance of someone who lives out their faith. When life goes horribly wrong for them they will know who to go to for prayer.
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I’ve never yet met someone who doesn’t want prayer.
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It does happen.
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Reblogged this on Brandon J. Adams.
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Amen! We are called to be holy, ie to be separate (unlike, different) from the world. We are not to compromise purity to be liked and accepted by others. Yes, they will mock us. They will reject us and call us names. But, there is no better place to be than in the center of God’s will, obeying his commands.
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When I was in junior high and a lost soul, I dealt with a tremendous amount of feeling as if I didn’t belong. (If you’ve ever heard of the Myers-Briggs personality test, all INFP personalities feel as if no one understands them. It’s like everyone grew up inside that metaphorical box they’re trying to think outside of, but we who have INFP personalities grew up outside it and are shunned because of it.) At that age, I didn’t understand what was wrong with me and I tried my hardest to fit in, twisting myself into something I wasn’t in hopes of gaining friends. When I realized I didn’t like the person I had become, I stopped and resolved to being alone. About that time one of my classmates befriended me. She was a Christian and strong in her faith. She was labeled a goody-goody. I was still struggling with being different when one day as my friend walked away from the table to turn in her homework the girl next to me insulted her in the most hateful way. My friend, just by being who she was in Christ and living a life worthy of Him, helped me to see that it’s okay to be different.
Thank you for this article. It helped me to remember that being different is ok. (Btw, loved the stranger things and Ephesians references.)
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Thanks for your testimony. I’m an INFP, too, and the “misunderstood” thing is definitely there.
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I’ve only met two other INFPs that I’m aware of, so it’s pretty cool to know of another.
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