How weird is it if I can talk about a football team but can’t talk about my Lord and Savior?

As I write this post, I look forward to an event that will take place seventeen days from now: the first game of the Boise State football season. While I am nowhere near as obsessed as I once was with the BSU Broncos, I still regularly read articles about them, follow their recruiting, and anticipate celebrating their victories and lamenting their defeats. 

The trouble is, I live far from the scenic vistas of Southern Idaho and the striking blue turf of Albertsons Stadium. Virtually no one living in western KY shares my fandom or spares a second thought for the Broncos. When everyone is talking about the Southeastern Conference and its football dominance or wondering if this will be the University of Kentucky’s year, I find myself struggling to shoehorn BSU into the conversation. Most people look at me strangely and then go on, but sometimes someone will engage, usually to say how poorly Boise would perform in a real conference like the SEC. But I keep trying because someone occasionally asks me why I like BSU, their blue field, or why I keep talking about them. Then I get to share the good news of the Blue and Orange with them. 

Boise State is special to me, and no matter how people react, I want others to see them as I do. 

That’s a sliver of an analogy to what I think Peter is saying in the third chapter of his first letter. Writing to those he calls “those chosen, living in exile,” he tells them:

But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear them or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and reverence, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame.

He’s writing to those persecuted for their faith and his encouragement to keep their focus on Christ’s Lordship and on his holiness. “Holy” carries the idea of being “set apart,” being “lifted up,” being “most important.” 

If you’ll permit me to paraphrase: 

It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks or how they mistreat you for loving Jesus. You know He is unique, set apart, and different from anyone else: focus on Him, your Master, and don’t worry about what they do to you. Your fearless faith will make them curious, so make sure you can tell them why you’ve placed your trust in Jesus when they ask you why you’re not afraid. Just don’t be a jerk about it. 

Peter’s call is for Jesus’ people to make Jesus preeminent in their lives. When something has that pride of place in our heart, we find it easy to talk to others about it, we will suffer if needed to continue enjoying it and continually think about it. 

I am ready to talk about my Boise State fandom when people ask me about it. But when people ask me about Jesus, do I clam up? How weird is it if I can talk about a football team but can’t talk about my Lord and Savior? As much as football looks like a religion in certain parts of the country, its significance pales compared to the “pure and faultless religion” that keeps Jesus at its heart. 

When we suffer for following Jesus or when our culture mocks us and Him, we should remember who He is: He is in charge and set apart. When we remember, we can endure the worst the world will throw at us. And when we do so with joy, peace, and hope, we invite curiosity and will get to share the Good News. 

“Go Broncos” is fun.

But “Go Jesus” is life-changing.