The Christian Iife | a 6-Day Skate Church Movement DevotionalSample

Don’t be a poser

“So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.” 1 John 1:6

Two groms show up at the skatepark, both carrying brand new boards, rocking brand new shoes, and wearing the same clothes. One of them spends an hour trying with all of his might to learn how to ollie. When he finally gets it, he starts working on 180s, and then pop shuvs, and so on. He’s determined to progress. Even if it’s a slow process, he’s still learning. The other kid spends his time cruising around the park, filming his feet, and posting selfies while he sits on the ramps, bragging about being a skater and hanging out at the skatepark. Which one of these kids would you say is really a skater? Which one would you say is a poser?

Isn’t it interesting that so many people want to look like skaters, dress like skaters, and mall grab their boards as they carry them around trying to portray this image of being “cool.” In the skateboarding community, these kids are roasted and ridiculed because they’ve never really counted the cost of skateboarding or made the commitment to skate.

I’d be lying if I said there wasn’t a stigma with being labeled as a poser–especially in skateboarding. You definitely don’t want that title because it means you’re a false representation of something. The funny thing is, we’ve all probably been considered a poser at some point in our lives. Whether it was when we first started skating, listening to a new band, or maybe even in our faith. You see, being a poser within skateboarding has nothing to do with your level of skill, but rather the fact of wanting to look like something that you’re not. The same is so true within religion. It seems like almost everyone in America will claim the title of “Christian” and most would even tell you they believe in Jesus, but do they actually have fellowship with Him? Jesus gave us a heads-up on how to identify a true follower of Jesus. He said in John 13:35, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” It’s not about simply looking the part; being a true follower of Christ is identified through your actions with one another. It’s easy to say the right things when the right people are looking, but what you do when no one is looking–that is integrity. Integrity shows where your motivations are and clearly shows who you really are.

1 John 1:6 says that “we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness.” Just like wanting to look and act like a skateboarder doesn’t make you a skater, the same is true with our faith. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness. This doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes or have to be perfect to claim to be a Christian, but it does mean that we have to choose whether we’re all in or not in at all. 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that “anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” If we truly are a NEW creation, we will notice new ways of how we live.

There is a big difference between professing Christianity and possessing Christ in your heart. The world is enticing, but in the end, the temporary pleasures it brings will all pass away. The validation you may seek from trying to be something you’re not will eventually leave you dissatisfied. But one thing remains: Jesus. And in Jesus, you will always find your true identity. If you’re on the fence and not sure what side you’re on, I want to challenge you to do what every skateboarder has done and will continue to do: fully commit and drop in.

Pushing Further

1. What side of the fence are you on?
2. Do you feel like you struggle with being a poser with your faith?
3. What’s keeping you from being all in?

Want more content like this? We adapted this Plan from a 52-week Skate Church Movement Devotional Book. Get your book at skatechurchmovement.com.