Represent Wisely

“Remember, ladies,” said the New Member Educator of my sorority, “Now that you’re part of Alpha Phi, you’re always wearing your letters. So stay classy, because it reflects on all of us!”

It was my freshman year, surrounded by members of my new pledge class, when I first heard this advice. Over the years, as I became more involved on campus, I began to realize how true it actually was. At a small school like Pepperdine, people’s Greek affiliations were commonly known. Oftentimes, thanks to the abundance of philanthropy prof pics we were required to use on facebook, the first thing you’d learn about a new acquaintance was which fraternity he was part of.

Now imagine this: as an unaffiliated student, you start hearing wonderful things about one particular sorority. You look up to its founder, admire its creed, and aspire to take part in its philanthropic work. Although you aren’t entirely sold yet, you’re excited to take part in recruitment and learn more.

Waiting outside the door of the rush party, your heart quickens. You start to daydream about all the wonderful moments with your future sisters: helping each other get ready for formal, going on coffee dates, and ditching class together for spontaneous beach trips.

Finally, it’s your time to enter the room. But the instant you get inside, something feels… wrong. These girls are catty and unfriendly; they have nothing in common with the sorority’s mission statement. You leave with a sinking feeling in your chest. At one point you wanted to join this sorority, but after meeting the members, you’re completely turned off from it.

Now imagine something else: your friend isn’t a Believer, but she’s curious about the whole Jesus thing and open to learning more. She decides to start visiting local churches and interacting with the people there. Will she accept Jesus into her heart, or will she turn away? The answer to that depends largely on the Christians she meets.

As believers, we are called to be a light to the world (Matthew 5:14). Our task is to represent Christ to people who may not have another way of knowing Him. God doesn’t send everyone to be a missionary overseas, but all of us are charged with spreading His love in our own communities. For Christians, faith is like Greek letters, but even more powerful. As we constantly wear it, faith shapes our identity and defines our character.

So how does Jesus want us to represent Him to the world?

This is what He says:

A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

It’s easy to be discouraged about the awful ways Christianity is portrayed in the media. People use Jesus’ name to justify everything from homophobia to white supremacy to boycotting Starbucks’ red cups—all things that have no Biblical precedent whatsoever.

The good news is that each of us have the power to set the record straight. By loving God and loving others, we can live in a way that reflects His truth. So wear your letters with pride, darling; Jesus thinks they look great on you!

* Photos courtesy of Pepperdine's Alpha Phi sorority. Three M&H staff writers are former members!