Jesus Wasn't a Punk, So I Can't Be One Either: A Think Piece on What Bold Action Really Looks Like - Without Data, Proof Points, or Safety Nets

Taking a bold act of faith is a prayerful process. In studying the courageousness of those in the Bible, I've found 4 key principles that help us qualify if a decision is, indeed, faithful or not.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9

TLDR; If you want to quit your job, make sure you check in with God first 😂

When Faith Meets a Rebellious Generation

I’ve gotta admit, I’ve been a little afraid to write about this. As part of the Gen Z community, I’ve been hyper-exposed and aware of the Jesus hate and resistance. At the same time, I’ve also been a witness to the recent “revival” happening all across the country - young folk giving their life to God, getting baptized, and picking up a favorite bible verse.

But if I’m going to call myself a writer, I have to claim my authenticity. And the truth is, I’ve been running every single decision by Jesus nowadays.

And yes - saying that out loud still feels bold in a world where faith is treated like a scandal.

1. Alignment With Scripture

God’s calling will never contradict His Word. The Bible has principles and values that can be cross-referenced with any given situation we may be experiencing. In mine: it was deciding to (1). stay in a role where I experienced and witnessed exploitation, deception, notes of envy, and malice (knocking others down so others can move up), and being undervalued even when I overdelivered - or (2). simply blindly leaving with nothing lined up.

But looking back and in studying the Word, I know I made the right choice because all biblical acts of faith executed by a believer almost always entailed:

• Love: The greatest commandment.

• Integrity: As Christians, this is the #1 thing we’re called to have.

• Humility: Jesus himself was humble, so please, take a seat.

• Justice: Striving for fairness and equity.

• Service: Even Jesus did not come to be served, but to serve. That man WORKED.

• Faithfulness: Remaining faithful to God and to the way He commands us to live.

• Stewardship: Being trusted with gifts, resources, and responsibility and multiplying them in good soil.

Now, unfortunately, all of those principles were always compromised at my last role. It saddens me to see how misaligned I was in my day to day after doing this bible study, but it relieves me to know that I can go ahead and choose a path that can allow me to lead with those principles and values moving forward.

Choosing God meant choosing myself.
Choosing truth meant leaving comfort.
And that’s the kind of sacrifice faith requires.

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2. The Peace That Makes No Sense

God’s guidance and direction is almost always accompanied by a deep sense of peace, even if it entails circumstances that do not make worldly, logical sense.
This explains how I’m feeling now - how I’m so able to just write, do my chores, hang out with family and friends, even as my savings are dwindling. This is the peace that He promises, the one that surpasses all understanding. I truly get it now.

Peace isn’t the absence of problems.
It’s the presence of God in the middle of them.

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3. Wise Counsel That Confirms, Not Confuses

Who is in your kitchen cabinet? Do you have a trusted set of people who can give an ear and offer a sound, Godly opinion?

When I discussed this with mine, not only were they in agreement with the decision I wanted to make, but they all separately and individually expressed a confidence in me that even I was shocked to hear about myself. Often, it was in the tone of:

“Andrea, you will figure it out. You will land on your feet. You always do.”

It hadn’t dawned on me that I literally always have. A byproduct of constantly being in survival mode. A residue of the resilience I’ve built throughout the years. But most importantly, a consistent evidence of God’s covering over my life.

Sometimes God speaks through people.
And sometimes He speaks through the consistent evidence of who you’ve been taught to become.

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4. Open Doors, Closed Doors, and Divine Redirection

God opens and closes doors as a way to direct our paths, especially after we’ve fully committed to opening ourselves up to Him. Revelation 3:8 states:

“Before you, an open door, and no one can shut it.”

What is for you will be yours, no matter the circumstances.

As I’ve now faced 3 rejections after making it to the fourth and final rounds for interviews this current quarter, it is a nice reminder to know that He is leading me elsewhere and calling me not to settle. And that is the only place I want to be: ordained by Him.

He is working everything out for our good, and it is important to remember that- and not waste our precious energy freaking out over what He’s working out behind the scenes.

Closed doors are not punishments.
They’re protection.

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When Faith Feels Illogical: Peter, the Nets, and Me

I’ll end with this. The entire crucifixion and resurrection story is THE act of faith and boldness, yes. But my favorite story of blind faith in the Bible has got to be Luke Chapter 5.

Jesus instructed Peter,
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” (Luke 5:4)

Peter - one of the top dogs in fishing - expressed skepticism because the math was not mathing. They had worked all night and didn’t catch a thing.

However, he decided to blindly believe and said,
“Nevertheless, at Your word I will let down the net.” (Luke 5:5)

When they did so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.

I could’ve told God back in October:
“But God, there’s no jobs and over 20,000 more tenured people in Big Tech laid off and competing for the very few jobs that are open right now.”

But I felt the tug. I heard His voice and I obeyed. I’ve applied, interviewed, and have gotten rejected. But the next time He tells me to cast down my net, I will.

Because abundance doesn’t follow logic.
It follows obedience.

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Jesus Wasn’t a Punk - So I Can’t Be One Either

So there you have it. Jesus wasn’t a punk. And neither were His disciples. And now that I know who I’m called to be, I can’t be one either.

And if you’re being called to take a bold step - one that feels risky, makes no sense, and defies common sentiment - cross check with those 4 principles. Sit down in prayer. But definitely know, that you’re not called to be a punk.