“…that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…” 1 Peter 1:7

Muted Testimony

My husband and I were having dinner one evening with some young adults who attend college. One of them takes a lot of difficult math classes where there is no controversy over anything. Math is math; it doesn’t change and doesn’t need any discussion. You either understand it, or you don’t—or you study it until you do.

Another one of the students, however, has to take classes where much discussion is held. Her professors are opinionated and closed to differing beliefs and worldviews; she is learning this hard truth by way of low grades on assignments, and by being held in low esteem by those who will decide her future ability to get a job.

In this student’s childhood home, all worldviews centered on the Word of God. Faith dictated actions. In her college classes, she is laughed at not only by students, but by professors. Even this is tolerable as the price of being a Christian, but her future depends on current school performance. These professors give failing grades when students do not overtly reflect their (the professors’) beliefs.

Here is a young woman who knows she needs to get her career going and thus needs to get good grades and solid recommendations from her professors for internships and referrals. She has to forge ahead in her classes pretending to support feminism, the gay lifestyle, anti-conservative politics, and other views that go against her convictions. She knows her heart will not be swayed by their ungodly views—they cannot take away her freedom to believe—but they have taken away her freedom to express that belief.

Some “other” countries do not allow the expression of Christian faith—yet it is right in our midst. In a sense, this young adult has been jailed by her oppressors. Her testimony is mute; her faith is no threat to those who practice evil.

I can hear you all cheering for her to do what we’d consider to be the right thing to do. Tell them the truth! Be bold! Stand up for yourself, and for Jesus! Be the witness on your campus! You never know, someone might be listening! God is with you in this!

Yes, to be sure, we all hope that if it was us instead of her, we’d do it. We’d never bow to the ungodly mandate to express anti-biblical viewpoints. We’d look ‘em in the eye and tell ‘em what we believe.

But I wonder if we would. If I would.

I never knew it was so hard for young adults today. If you know any Christian 20-somethings, pray for them. For strength and boldness. For the Holy Spirit to lead them in the wise navigation of life. For discernment of when to step back and when to step up. For unshakeable faith and a solid understanding of the Word of God.

“Father, we lift up these young people who are living in a difficult culture. We trust that You are working in them, so that the genuineness of their faith will be found to Your praise, honor, and glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”