by Laura Hancock

As Dean wrapped up the "Southern Comfort" series this past Sunday, I began mulling over my heritage: I was raised in a Southern Baptist church (not a bad thing if your identity is in Christ, and not in the label of a denomination...any denomination), with relatives hailing from Mississippi, Georgia, and Kentucky, and a grandfather who was a student pastor, I realized the conditions were favorable to fall into a "Southern Comfort" crisis, if not for my parents. They made it clear as I was growing up that Christianity was not a family plan that I could buy into when I needed some peace of mind. I couldn't live off of their faith. I had to make it my own. I had to pick up my cross and choose to follow Christ daily.  

"...If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24.  

What?!?!?! You mean I have to make my own decision? For so many people, myself included, more than I care to admit, this is enough to send us running. Everything that we enjoy about "Southern Comfort" Christianity tells us to follow the culture and don't stand out too much. What will people think? Don't be too passionate about any one thing. You'll be labeled as an extremist. But doesn't living for truth include being different? Doesn't it also include being passionate about those who think they are fine, but will not give their life to the One who gave it all?

I want to be like my grandfather, who though very much a southerner, has rarely been caught up in the culture. After my grandmother's death, he moved in with my parents as he has Alzheimer's and cannot function on his own. There are some days when he has trouble remembering my name, but as soon as he is asked about Jesus, his voice is clear and his mind is as sure as it ever was. His faith is his own, and has affected him in such a way that he can't help but share with others the depth of Christ's love for them, with profound sincerity. That is a man so steeped in the word of God that it is as natural to him as breathing. There is nothing "Southern Comfort" about that. I want that. I want to put away the superficiality and seek the truth, so that it permeates every decision that I make, that it becomes as natural as breathing. I'm not there yet, not even close, but I want to live for Christ, not this cultural facade.

(Laura was born and raised in Tallahassee, FL and graduated from FSU with a degree in Family and Child Sciences. She currently works for a local general contractor. She has tutored for the past 4 years and volunteers in City Church Kids. She hopes to one day pursue a graduate degree in School Psychology. Laura can be reached at, leehancock@gmail.com )