In most Christians' lives we face times when unforeseen challenges serve to test our capacity (and our willingness) to step into the proverbial fire of standing up for our faith. These moments actually serve to define who we are: bold followers of Christ or faint-hearted individuals who retreat from conflict.
Carrie Prejean, the California representative in this year's Miss USA competition in Las Vegas, was faced with one of these situations recently when she was asked before a national television audience to voice her perspective on same-sex marriage.
In a now famous statement, Carrie replied, in part, "I do believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman; no offense to anybody out there. But that's how I was raised and I believe that it should be between a man and a woman."
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As a result of this assertion, which reflects her Christian faith, Carrie has been bitterly assailed by critics, most prominently by homosexual activist and blogger Perez Hilton, who posed the question. (It should be noted that Carrie is a student at San Diego Christian College so it is interesting, to say the least, that Mr. Hilton would target Carrie to answer the pointed query. But we know that God works in strange ways.)
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On Wednesday, my brother Jerry Jr., the chancellor at Liberty University, introduced Carrie to our student body during a convocation service. She told students that the unexpected event has opened more doors than she ever dreamed possible to speak about her faith in Jesus Christ.
"This has given me an opportunity to proclaim my faith with millions of people," she told a cheering Liberty University audience.
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She said that when Mr. Hilton's question was posed, she immediately knew that she had come to a spiritual crossroads. "I knew right there that I was either going to please man or please God. And I knew there was no choice," she told our convocation audience.
Then she reminded students that the Christian life is often full of challenges. "You're going to be persecuted, you're going to be made fun of, and you're going to be called names. But when you are given an opportunity to stand up for Christ, do it," Carrie said with a radiant smile.
"We deeply appreciate what you did," my brother told her.
As I consider Carrie's testimony, I cannot help but ponder a situation that took place in the sixth century B.C. The Book of Daniel, chapter 3, tells us of three men – Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego – who refused to bow down to a gold statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. As a penalty, all three were condemned to be cast into a raging furnace.
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But they remained undaunted. "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king" (verse 17, NKJV). And as they were tossed into that blazing oven, the men were unharmed, even as those around them perished. And as the king looked into that furnace he could see the astonishing image of God standing with the three men in the midst of the fire.
My friends, we face many fires and tests in life. But just as God stood with His servants in the killer furnace of King Nebuchadnezzar, He will stand with you. As Christians, we must remain true to the Savior, who is always true to us. I'm thankful to Carrie Prejean for reminding Christians everywhere that God will never forsake those who know Him as Savior.
