May 5, 2025 • 26 mins
A simple message questioning the compatibility of faith and fandom sparked this deeply personal exploration of what happens when our spiritual lives intersect with our love for stories. What if the comics, anime, and fandoms we enjoy aren't distractions from our faith, but different lenses through which we can experience God's truth?
Drawing from Scripture, theological wisdom from C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, and personal experience, we explore how the very first thing we learn about God is that He's creative—and how our own creativity and imagination might be sacred reflections of His character. Those superhero sacrifices, redemption arcs, and moments of grace in our favorite stories often echo biblical truths in ways that make them personally meaningful.
This journey isn't about consuming media uncritically. Rather, it's about approaching stories with discernment while recognizing that God speaks in unexpected places. We tackle practical questions like dealing with criticism, finding divine echoes in secular content, raising children with both faith and imagination, and being authentic witnesses in fandom communities.
The false dichotomy between spiritual maturity and childlike wonder falls apart when we remember Jesus' own words about becoming like children. Your joy in stories, your imagination, your unique interests—these aren't contradictions to your faith journey but beautiful expressions of who God created you to be.
Have you ever felt torn between your spiritual life and your fandoms? Share your experience in the comments or reach out directly. We're building a community where both faith and fandom can flourish together.
I would love to hear from you!
For listeners looking to deepen their engagement with the topics discussed, visit our website or check out our devotionals and poetry on Amazon, with all proceeds supporting The New York School of The Bible at Calvary Baptist Church. Stay connected and enriched on your spiritual path with us!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome to the Compass Chronicles.
Where faith meets fandom, lifegets real and every step of your
journey reveals a deeperpurpose.
I am your host, javier.
In today's episode, we'rediving into a personal story I
shared recently on Facebook thatstirred up quite a bit of
thought for me and maybe forsome of you too.
It's all about what happenswhen our faith meets the things
we love, especially when theworld tries to tell us we can't
have both and, to be honest,this was not meant to be an
(00:20):
episode on the podcast, but Ibelieve and feel in my spirit
that sharing this will helpothers who might be in the same
headspace or faith walk and mayhave questions.
So buckle in, grab yourfavorite coffee or tea and let's
talk about what it means tostand boldly in both your faith
and your fandom.
It started with a message, justa short one, not meant to be
cruel at least I don't think itwas but it carried weight.
The person on the other endsimply said at your age and as a
(00:40):
man of faith, you shouldn'tstill be into comics, anime or
any of that fandom stuff.
Now, I've lived long enough notto let every opinion shake me,
but this one made me pause, notbecause I agreed, but because it
reminded me of just howmisunderstood both faith and
fandom can be, and maybe evenhow misunderstood we can be when
we try to bring the twotogether.
Here's the thing my faith is thefoundation of everything in my
life.
It's the lens I look through.
(01:00):
It's the reason I get up everymorning with purpose.
I've walked with God throughseasons of joy and seasons of
pain.
I've wrestled with questions,stood firm in convictions and
found grace in the everydaymoments.
But that doesn't mean I have toshut the door on imagination.
In fact, I think imagination,when grounded in truth, can be
one of the most beautiful wayswe experience God.
You see, I grew up on stories.
I read them, watched them, drewthem, breathed them in.
Superheroes that sacrificedeverything to save the world.
(01:23):
Anime characters who never gaveup even when all seemed lost.
Comics filled with brokenpeople trying to do the right
thing.
Those stories weren't justentertainment for me, they were
mirrors and mentors, and Istarted to see something
Patterns, echoes, moments thatreminded me of scripture, of
truth, of grace.
I remember watching a hero makethe ultimate sacrifice to save
others, and in that moment mymind jumped to John, chapter 15,
(01:46):
verse 13.
Greater love has no one thanthis to lay down one's life for
one's friends.
That's Jesus, right there, inthe middle of a movie, or the
moment a villain is offeredforgiveness undeserved,
unexpected, transformative.
And I thought of Luke, chapter15, verse 20.
But while he was still a longway off, his father saw him and
was filled with compassion forhim.
He ran to his son, threw hisarms around him and kissed him.
(02:08):
He ran to his son, threw hisarms around him and kissed him.
That's the prodigal son.
That's the gospel.
These aren't just surface-levelcomparisons.
These are threads of deepertruth woven into stories that
speak to something in our soul.
So when someone says youshouldn't be into that stuff,
it's more than just a critiqueof my hobbies.
It's a misunderstanding of howI connect with the world and
with God.
Let me take you deeper.
There was a season in my lifethat was really hard.
I won't go into all the details, but let's just say I was
feeling lost, my prayers felthollow, my hope felt distant,
and then I stumbled across aparticular anime, storyline 1,
(02:29):
where the character waswrestling with their identity,
trying to find their place,feeling like they didn't belong.
And it hit me, not because itgave me all the answers, but
because it gave me permission toask the questions.
In that storyline I found spaceto process pain, to feel seen,
and slowly it brought me back toscripture with fresh eyes, like
Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 1.
Do not fear, for I haveredeemed you, I have summoned
you by name, you are mine.
(02:49):
That verse felt different afterseeing someone on screen fight
to believe they mattered.
Suddenly, god's words weren'tjust words, they were personal.
And this is where faith andfandom start to dance.
Faith brings depth to thestories I love and fandom brings
freshness to the way Iunderstand faith.
Yes, I still love beautifullydrawn panels.
I geek out over fan theories, Ican spend hours discussing plot
twists and character arcs, butthose things don't pull me away
(03:11):
from God.
They often push me toward him.
They remind me to look for hisfingerprints in every corner of
life, even in a comic book, evenin a cartoon, even in the odd,
awkward, wonderful world offandom.
And listen, I'm still a big kidat heart.
I laugh loud, cry duringfinales, and sometimes I buy way
too many collectibles.
But that joy, that curiosity,that sense of wonder, that's not
immaturity, that's a gift.
Matthew, chapter 18, verse 3,says Truly, I tell you, unless
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you change and become likelittle children, you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven.
Childlike faith isn't foolish,it's fearless.
It believes in things unseen.
It finds joy in simplicity.
It holds on to hope, even whenthe world says grow up.
So yeah, I'm good with being abig kid, because if something as
simple as a scene from an animeor a superhero's selfless act
makes me reflect on grace orcourage or redemption, then I'm
here for it.
I'm not going to apologize forthat, I'm not going to tone it
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down or tuck it away.
My joy is real, my faith isstrong, and if these two parts
of me faith and fandom walktogether, then that's exactly
where I'm meant to be.
I'm not alone in this either.
I know so many of you listeningfeel the same.
You found God in unexpectedplaces.
You've had late nightepiphanies because of a
storyline.
You've seen truth shine throughfiction.
That's not a mistake.
That's a reminder that ourcreator is creative and he often
speaks in ways we least expect.
So thank you.
(04:20):
Thank you for being part ofthis journey, for letting me
share my heart and for embracingevery piece of what makes you
who you are.
Keep shining, keep believingand never be afraid to hold
tightly to both your faith andyour fandom.
We've talked about how faith andfandom can coexist, even
complement each other, but let'sbring in some bigger voices and
ancient wisdom here, becausethis idea isn't just a personal
feeling.
It's something rooted in howwe're created and how God
(04:41):
operates in the world.
Let's start with something bigand bold Genesis how we're
created and how God operates inthe world.
Let's start with something bigand bold.
Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
In the beginning, god createdthe heavens and the earth.
There it is.
The very first thing we learnabout God is not that he is
judge or king or lawgiver,though he is all of those.
The first thing we know is thatGod is creator.
He's the original artist, themaster storyteller, the spark
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behind everything beautiful,vast and mysterious in this
universe.
That means when you feel movedby a story, when you lose
yourself in a piece of music ora powerful scene in a show, when
you doodle in the margins orget chills from a great plot
twist.
That's not random.
That's the image of God in youat work.
Genesis, chapter 1, verse 27,says so God created mankind in
his own image.
In the image of God, he createdthem, male and female.
He created them.
Part of that image iscreativity.
We're made to reflect hisnature and he's the most
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creative being there is.
So when we create or when wedeeply appreciate creativity,
we're actually tapping intosomething sacred.
Now that brings us to the worldof fandom.
Fandom is often brushed off assilly or shallow.
People think it's just costumes, collectibles and heated
Twitter debates.
But if you look closer, fandomis really about community.
It's about sharing stories thatmatter.
It's about celebratingimagination, loyalty, resilience
and, yes, even redemption, andthose are all deeply biblical
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values.
Let's take a look at Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8.
Paul writes Finally, brothersand sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever isright, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever isadmirable, if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy, thinkabout such things.
Now ask yourself can you findthings that are noble, lovely or
admirable in a great anime arc,in a comic book that wrestles
with identity or injustice, in amovie about overcoming darkness
(06:07):
with light, absolutely?
And when you do, when younotice those sparks of truth,
you're not stepping away fromfaith, you're living it out.
You're thinking about thosegood, praiseworthy things Paul
talked about.
You're training your heart tosee beauty and purpose, even in
places that might not betraditionally labeled Christian.
Cs Lewis, one of the greatestChristian thinkers of the modern
era and the mind behind theChronicles of Narnia, once said
this reason is the natural orderof truth, but imagination is
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the organ of meaning.
Let that sink in.
Imagination helps us understandwhat truth means.
It's not just facts anddoctrines, it's how those truths
come alive.
And Lewis didn't just writetheological books, he told
stories, stories about lions andwitches and wardrobes, because
he believed that good storiescould point us to the ultimate
story, the gospel.
He's not alone in that belief.
Jrr tolkien, the author of thelord of the rings, another man
of deep christian faith,described his stories as
sub-creation.
He said that when we tellstories, we are reflecting the
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divine act of creation itself.
We're not replacing god, we'reechoing him.
So whether it's fantasy, sci-fi,superhero tales or slice of
life, anime, if it's stirringstirring something good in you,
something that aligns with God'sheart, that's not secular,
that's sacred.
Let's talk about redemption.
One of the clearest gospelthemes in pop culture is the
idea of a character being saved,redeemed from their past.
We see this all the time thevillain who changes, the hero
(07:15):
who rises again, the broken onewho finds healing Sound familiar
.
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,says but God demonstrates his
own love for us in this.
While we were still sinners,christ died for us.
That's the ultimate redemptionarc, and when we see echoes of
that in fiction, when we getmoved by it, even in a galaxy
far, far away, that's because itpoints to something real,
something written on our hearts.
Now I want to acknowledgesomething here too Not
(07:36):
everything in pop culture isedifying.
There are stories that distorttruth, glorify, harm or
celebrate values that don'talign with God's word, and as
people of faith, we're called touse wisdom and discernment.
Hebrews, chapter 5, verse 14,says but solid food is for the
mature who, by constant use,have trained themselves to
distinguish good from evil.
So it's not about blindlyconsuming anything and
everything.
It's about being attuned towhat the Spirit is saying.
(07:56):
It's about letting God shapeour lens so we can watch, read
and experience culture in a waythat honors him and, honestly,
that takes maturity.
It's way easier to just sayonly watch Christian movies or
don't touch anything secular,but it's far more powerful and
more biblically sound to saylet's look for God everywhere,
let's test everything by thelight of scripture, let's see
where he might be whisperingthrough creativity.
Because, guess what?
He's not confined to stainedglass windows or worship songs.
(08:19):
He speaks in burning bushes andBalaam's donkey.
He uses broken people, unlikelymessengers and unexpected
places.
So why not a story?
Why not a superhero?
Why not anime?
If you're someone who's everbeen made to feel like your
fandom makes you less faithful,hear me clearly.
That is not true.
Your love of stories, yourimagination, your joy, that's
not a liability, that's a linkto the divine.
You're not too old, you're nottoo weird, you're not less
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Christian for finding God inunexpected places.
In fact, jesus himself lovedstories.
He taught with parables.
He didn't just lay down rules,he used narrative.
A father and his wayward son, agood Samaritan, a tiny mustard
seed growing into somethinggreat.
Why?
Because stories stick, theyteach, they transform, they move
the heart.
So when you love a story deeply, when it teaches you something
about grace, when it moves youtoward kindness, sacrifice or
(09:03):
hope, don't be ashamed.
That's kingdom stuff, that'ssacred ground.
You, my friend, are right whereyou're meant to be walking in
your faith, standing in yourfandom and letting the God of
all creation speak through bothlike really real.
We live in a world that loveslabels faithful, nerd, mature,
childish, manly, feminine,serious, silly.
And too often we're made tofeel like we have to pick one
box and stay in it forever.
But what if that's not howwe're wired?
What if identity in its truestform is actually about the
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wholeness of who we are, not theboxes we've been stuffed into?
Let's start with identity, ourcore identity.
If you are all children of Godthrough faith, not children of
religious stereotypes, notchildren of what other people
expect of you, children of God,that's where it all begins.
So if your faith is sincere, ifyou're rooted in Christ, then
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your passions, your interests,your quirks, your fandoms,
they're not threats to thatidentity, they're expressions of
it.
God doesn't want robots who alllook the same and speak the
same and enjoy only one kind ofthing.
Just take a look at creation.
We've got glowing jellyfish andsnow-covered mountains and
chameleons and flamingos.
We've got over 30,000 speciesof fish alone.
You think a God like that isinto boring, uniform living?
No way.
He's a God of diversity, detailand depth.
(10:08):
Psalm 139, verse 14, says Ipraise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
I works are wonderful.
I know that full well.
That includes the part of youthat lights up when you hear a
theme song, that part of youthat gets emotional over a
well-drawn comic book panel,that part of you that remembers
lines from your favorite shows,like their scripture, because in
some way they became sacred toyou.
And here's something we don'ttalk about enough Joy matters in
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spiritual maturity.
Somewhere along the way a lotof us started believing that
growing up in Christ means beingserious all the time, like if
you're not quoting scripture24-7s or constantly deep in
prayer, then you must be doingit wrong.
But that's not the Jesus I seein scripture.
Jesus was full of life.
He went to weddings, he laughedwith friends, he welcomed
children, he told stories thatsparked the imagination.
He challenged the joy killersof his day, the Pharisees,
(10:50):
because they turned faith into achecklist instead of a
relationship.
In John, chapter 10, verse 10,jesus says the thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come that they may havelife and have it to the full.
Life to the full, that's a lifethat includes wonder, curiosity
, imagination and yes, fandom.
When you lose yourself insomething creative and good,
when your spirit feels lighterbecause of it, that's not
childish, that's Christ honoring.
Let's flip the script here.
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What if holding on to yourfandom is actually a mark of
maturity?
Think about it.
Immaturity isn't about what youenjoy.
It's about how you respond tothe world.
It's about whether you havewisdom, compassion, grace and
truth guiding your steps.
A spiritually immature personmight dismiss others who enjoy
different things.
A spiritually mature personwill listen, engage and
understand that God works in allkinds of spaces.
Maturity says I know who I amin Christ and I don't need to
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hide the parts of me that makeme unique.
Colossians chapter 3, verse 17,backs this up beautifully.
And whatever you do, whether inword or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, givingthanks to God, the Father,
through him.
Whatever you do, that includesbinge watching, a season of
anime, writing fan fiction,collecting action figures, going
to Comic Con.
If it's done in gratitude, witha heart that's grounded in God,
it's holy.
And look, there will always bepeople who don't get it.
Some folks may not understandhow faith and fandom can walk
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together.
That's okay.
Not everyone has to get it.
But don't let someone else'slack of understanding become the
limitation on your calling.
Romans, chapter 14, verse 5,encourages us with this
perspective.
One person considers one daymore sacred than another,
another considers every dayalike.
Each of them should be fullyconvinced in their own mind.
Paul was talking about Sabbathpractices, but the principle
applies here Be fully convincedin your own mind.
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If God has given you peace,purpose and joy through both
your faith and your fandom, thenwalk in that boldly, don't
shrink, don't hide, don'tapologize for who you are,
because when you live fully asyourself, when you embrace every
good thing God has woven intoyour story, you give others
permission to do the same.
Let's talk about the realtension, though.
What happens when our fandomsinclude things that feel morally
gray?
That's a valid question, andthe answer isn't always simple.
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Some stories may have languageor themes that challenge your
values.
So how do we navigate that?
The key is discernment.
1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse23, says I have the right to do
anything, you say, but noteverything is beneficial.
I have the right to do anything, but not everything is
constructive.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guideyou.
Be honest with yourself.
What stirs your spirit in agood way and what pulls you away
from truth?
Not everything in fandom isworth embracing, but that
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doesn't mean the entire space isoff limits.
Just like with anything else inlife, we need to be thoughtful.
Spiritual maturity isn't aboutavoiding the world.
It's about walking through theworld with purpose and vision.
Jesus did that.
He didn't isolate himself.
He entered into the mess ofhumanity.
He ate with tax collectors, hetouched the sick, he walked
dusty roads with people whodidn't have it all together and
he never compromised hisidentity in the process.
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That's our motto To be in theworld, but not of it.
To engage culture without beingconsumed by it, to find the
light in the stories around usand reflect it back toward the
creator of light.
So, if you've ever felt likeyour love for fandom puts your
faith in question, let this be arelease valve.
You're not a contradiction.
You're not doing faith wrong.
You're not a contradiction.
You're not doing faith wrong.
You're living it out in a waythat's colorful, honest and full
of life.
And, honestly, the church needsmore of that More joy, more
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imagination, more people who seebeauty in unexpected places,
because those people people likeyou are often the ones who help
others find Jesus in the placesthey never thought to look, and
maybe, just maybe, that'sexactly where you're meant to be
.
Okay, we've covered a lot ofhard stuff identity, creativity,
maturity.
But let's get into the nittygritty now, because while it's
powerful to embrace both faithand fandom, it's also important
to do it with intentionality.
So in this section, we'rediving into practical tools you
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can use to navigate this journey.
Well, you love fandom.
You love Jesus.
How do you keep both in healthytension?
Let's break it down.
Before jumping into a show,series or fandom event, pause to
invite God into the experience.
Prayer isn't just for crises orSundays.
It's a way to connect with yoursoul.
Try praying, lord.
Help me engage with this wisely, keeping my heart grounded.
Reveal what's true and guide methrough anything that's not.
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James, chapter 1, verse 5,reminds us If any of you lacks
wisdom, you should ask God, whogives generously to all, without
finding fault, and it will begiven to you.
God isn't waiting to judge yourmissteps.
He wants to guide you with love.
Involve him in your mediachoices and you'll find greater
clarity and peace.
As you navigate, pay attentionto what's feeding you.
Some stories lift your spirit,others drain it.
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Some characters inspire you,others fill your mind with
heaviness or confusion.
Take time to reflect afterwatching or reading something.
Ask yourself did this draw mecloser to grace, hope or love?
Did it stir up things in methat I need to process with God?
Would I be proud to talk aboutthis with someone seeking Christ
?
Philippians, chapter 1, verse10, says so that you may be able
to discern what is best and maybe pure and blameless for the
day of Christ.
Discernment isn't about fear,it's about freedom.
When you know what helps yougrow, you're more free to enjoy
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those things deeply and withoutguilt.
Set boundaries without shame.
Boundaries aren't about beingrestrictive.
They're about being wise, andthey'll look different for
everyone.
Maybe for you, that means notwatching shows with graphic
content, even if everyone elseraves about them.
Maybe it's setting a time limitso you don't fall into the
binge watch black hole.
Maybe it's taking a break fromfandom spaces that are getting
too toxic or negative.
That's not weakness, that'smaturity.
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Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 23,says above all else, guard your
heart, for everything you doflows from it.
Guarding your heart doesn'tmean building walls.
It means choosing what comes inand what gets to stay.
If something starts to distortyour peace, joy or focus, it's
okay to step back.
No shame.
Look for redemptive themes,because discernment doesn't mean
you have to become a critic.
It actually opens the door todeeper meaning.
Start training your eyes andears to notice the spiritual
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themes in the stories youalready love.
Sacrifice, that's the cross.
Forgiveness, that's grace.
Courage against darkness.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 2,says Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing of
your mind.
Then you will be able to testand approve what God's will is
His good, pleasing and perfectwill.
A renewed mind sees God insurprising places.
(16:11):
So next time you're watchingyour favorite series or reading
a comic, look for those divineechoes.
They're everywhere, once youknow how to spot them.
One of the coolest things aboutfandom is community.
It's why cons exist.
It's why cons exist.
It's why fan pages blow up.
People love gathering aroundthe stories they care about.
But don't stop at the surfacelevel.
Build a faith-based communitywithin your fandom spaces.
Start a small group with fellowfans who also love Jesus.
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Host a Bible study where youcompare story arcs with
scripture themes.
Share devotionals that drawfrom pop culture references.
Use fandom as a bridge fordeeper spiritual connection.
Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 24and 25, says and let us consider
how we may spur one another ontoward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together butencouraging one another.
You don't have to choosebetween hanging with your people
and honoring your faith.
Find people who do both and bethat person for someone else.
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Be a light in your fandom space, whether you're in a cosplay
group, a subreddit, a discordserver or just chatting with
friends, remember that you carrythe light of Christ with you.
That doesn't mean preaching allthe time.
It means showing up withkindness, curiosity,
encouragement and integrity.
Matthew, chapter 5, verse 16,says In the same way, let your
light shine before others thatthey may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.
People are watching how yourespond, how you talk about
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tough issues, how you lovepeople who are different, how
you treat the weird andwonderful world of fandom.
Be the kind of person thatmakes others think wow, I didn't
know faith could look like that.
Permit yourself to embrace whatyou truly love.
Stop apologizing for whatignites your spirit.
If it breathes life into yoursoul, the creator isn't asking
you to forsake it.
He's calling you to weave himinto it.
Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verses12 and 13, states I know that
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there is nothing better forpeople than to be happy and to
do good while they live, thateach of them may eat and drink
and find satisfaction in alltheir toil.
This is the gift of God.
Joy is a divine gift.
Living fully doesn't lessenyour spirituality.
It enriches your faith.
So, whether you're in your 30s,still inspired by Irene's fight
for freedom in Attack on Titanor binge-watching the series
after hours, embrace it.
You're not behind, you're notoff track.
You're living with purpose andjoy, and that's a bold testament
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to your faith.
Alright, fam, this is where weget into the questions, because
I know I'm not the only onewho's been walking this path of
loving Jesus and loving fandom,and when you're trying to blend
those two worlds, stuff comes up.
So let's get honest and realwith some of the most common
questions people ask.
When they're walking out faithin the middle of fandom life,
what do I say when someonecriticizes my interests?
Great question, and one a lotof us have probably faced.
Whether it's someone in churchwho side-eyes your anime hoodie
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or a family member who thinksyour collectibles are childish,
it can feel dismissive anddiscouraging.
Here's the deal.
You don't owe anyone a defensefor what brings you life,
especially if it aligns withyour values and honors God.
But that doesn't mean you haveto be defensive either.
Try responding with grace andconfidence.
These stories actually help meconnect with deeper truths.
They inspire me to be morehopeful, courageous and even
more grounded in my faith.
1 Peter 3.15 gives usa solidapproach, but in your hearts
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revere Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give ananswer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hopethat you have.
But do this with gentleness andrespect.
Your response doesn't have tobe an argument, just speak from
your experience.
That's powerful enough.
Can I really find God in secularmedia?
Absolutely, if your heart istuned to listen.
There's a misconception thatGod only speaks through things
labeled Christian.
But he's the God of everything.
(19:07):
He spoke through a burning bush, a talking donkey and even
pagan kings in the Bible.
He is not limited.
Psalm 24, verse 1, reminds usthe earth is the Lord's and
everything in it, the world andall who live in it.
God's truth is truth whereverit shows up.
When a fictional story revealssomething about grace, sacrifice
or redemption, it's echoing theheart of the gospel, whether
the creators intended it or not.
The key is discernment.
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Don't turn off your spiritualradar, but also don't close your
heart to the ways God mightspeak through creativity.
What if my favorite show orseries has stuff in it that
doesn't line up with my faith?
That's a real one, and it's notalways black and white.
Some stories mix beautifulthemes with problematic elements
.
Maybe there's violence,language or messages that
conflict with biblical truth.
So what do you do?
Here's the short answer Checkin with the Holy Spirit, ask is
(19:49):
this helping or hindering myspiritual growth?
Do I feel peace when I watchthis?
Can I separate the meaningfulparts from the mess, or is it
blurring too many lines?
Romans, chapter 14, verse 22,encourages us.
So, whatever you believe aboutthese things, keep between
yourself and God.
Blessed is the one who does notcondemn himself by what he
approves.
Some shows you might be fine,with Others you might feel a
nudge.
To let go of, it's okay.
That's not legalism, that'swisdom.
(20:10):
God's not looking for perfectmedia choices.
He's looking for a willingheart.
How do I raise kids who lovefandom and stay rooted in faith?
This is such an important onefor parents, guardians or even
youth leaders out there.
First.
First, remember this your kidsare growing up in a world of
stories and, instead ofshielding them from every
non-Christian thing, teach themhow to process what they're
seeing.
Watch with them.
Talk about themes, askquestions like what did that
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character do that was brave orkind?
Did this story remind you ofanything in the Bible?
How would Jesus respond in thatsituation?
Use fandom moments asdiscipleship tools.
Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 7, says Impress God's
commandments on your children.
Talk about them when you sit athome and when you walk along
the road, when you lie down andwhen you get up.
That includes while you'rewatching an animated movie or
reading a graphic novel together.
(20:52):
Faith isn't confined todevotionals.
It flows through daily life,even fandom life.
What if I feel guilty aboutloving fandom stuff more than I
should?
Let's pause here and be gentlewith ourselves.
Sometimes we've internalizedguilt because we think spiritual
life has to look a certain way,like if you don't wake up and
read Leviticus before breakfastor if your worship playlist
isn't on 24-7, you're somehowless devoted.
But remember what Jesus said inMatthew, chapter 22, verses 37
(21:13):
to 39.
Love the Lord, your God, withall your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind,and love your neighbor as
yourself.
He didn't say love me byavoiding fun or don't get
excited about stories.
He said love me with your wholebeing and if part of how you
love him is through art, wonder,creativity and stories that
stir your spirit, that counts.
That's part of your heart andhe wants all of it.
Guilt has no place when yourjoy is rooted in truth.
(21:34):
How can I be a witness inphantom spaces?
You don't have to lead a Biblestudy and cosplay, though.
If you do, that's amazing.
Being a witness starts withbeing real.
Be honest about your faith.
Show up with love, modelrespect in conversations.
Encourage others, share whatGod's teaching you, even
casually.
When someone asks what givesyou hope or why you love a
certain redemption arc, shareyour heart.
You never know what seeds youmight be planting.
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Colossians, chapter 4, verse 6,says Let your conversation be
always full of grace, seasonedwith salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.
It's not about having all theanswers.
It's about being open, groundedand present.
So if you've got questions,you're not alone.
That tension you feel it's notsomething to be ashamed of.
It's proof that you care.
You want to walk this path withintegrity and that's something
God honors deeply.
You're not a contradiction.
You're a beautiful collision oftruth and imagination, grounded
(22:17):
in grace.
Wow, what a journey today, huh,if you've been hanging out with
me this whole episode.
Thank you Seriously.
Thank you for leaning in, forbeing open to this conversation
and for letting me sharesomething that's really close to
my heart.
We've talked about a lot, fromthat moment of criticism that
sparked this whole thing to thedeep truths about how our faith
and our fandom don't have toexist on opposite ends of who we
are.
We've unpacked scripture, heardfrom some spiritual giants, got
(22:39):
real with our emotions andmaybe even saw ourselves a
little more clearly in theprocess.
So here's what I hope you'rewalking away with today you are
not a contradiction.
You're a masterpiece inprogress, a beautiful fusion of
faith and creativity, truth andimagination, worship and wonder,
and you don't have to choosebetween being devoted to God and
loving what lights up your soul.
You can honor God while geekingout over your favorite series.
You can reflect His characterthrough the way you engage with
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stories, communities andcreativity, and you can stand
confidently in the truth that hemade you.
He delights in you and he seesthe whole picture, even the
parts other people might notunderstand.
So keep being you, keep showingup with that wide-eyed wonder,
keep looking for God inunexpected places, keep asking
big questions and loving bigstories.
Keep carrying your faith intoevery space you walk into,
fandom included, because ifthere's anything this episode
(23:20):
has reminded us, it's that theGod of the universe doesn't just
tolerate our passions.
He gave them to us.
He's the author of your story,and he's not done writing it yet
.
Before I go, let me leave youwith one more verse, one that's
been my anthem lately.
It's from Micah, chapter 6,verse 8.
He has shown you, o mortal,what is good and what does the
Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your
God.
Let that be your guide, whetheryou're in church, at a
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convention, online in a fandomspace or curled up with your
favorite graphic novel act.
With justice, love mercy, walkhumbly and do it all with joy.
Before we wrap up, I want totalk to anyone listening right
now who feels like you'restanding at a crossroads.
Maybe your past feels too heavy, maybe your future feels
uncertain.
Maybe you're ready to stopwandering and start walking with
Jesus.
If you've never accepted Christas your savior, or maybe you've
(24:02):
drifted and want to come home,you can make that decision right
now.
You don't need a stage or aperfect prayer.
You just need an open heart.
Jesus, I believe you are theSon of God.
I believe you died on the crossfor my sins and rose again so I
could have new life.
I turn from my old ways and askyou to be the Lord of my life.
No-transcript and your legacyis being rewritten by grace For
(24:28):
free resources to help you growin your faith.
Visit us atthecrossroadscollectiveorg and
if you'd like to connect, shareyour story or ask questions,
email us anytime at jm atthecrossroadscollectiveorg.
This has been the CompassChronicles.
Thanks for walking with metoday.
Until next time, keep yourcompass set on Christ, god bless
.
Welcome to the Compass Chronicles.
Where faith meets fandom, lifegets real and every step of your
journey reveals a deeperpurpose.
I am your host, javier.
In today's episode, we'rediving into a personal story I
shared recently on Facebook thatstirred up quite a bit of
thought for me and maybe forsome of you too.
It's all about what happenswhen our faith meets the things
we love, especially when theworld tries to tell us we can't
have both and, to be honest,this was not meant to be an
(00:20):
episode on the podcast, but Ibelieve and feel in my spirit
that sharing this will helpothers who might be in the same
headspace or faith walk and mayhave questions.
So buckle in, grab yourfavorite coffee or tea and let's
talk about what it means tostand boldly in both your faith
and your fandom.
It started with a message, justa short one, not meant to be
cruel at least I don't think itwas but it carried weight.
The person on the other endsimply said at your age and as a
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man of faith, you shouldn'tstill be into comics, anime or
any of that fandom stuff.
Now, I've lived long enough notto let every opinion shake me,
but this one made me pause, notbecause I agreed, but because it
reminded me of just howmisunderstood both faith and
fandom can be, and maybe evenhow misunderstood we can be when
we try to bring the twotogether.
Here's the thing my faith is thefoundation of everything in my
life.
It's the lens I look through.
(01:00):
It's the reason I get up everymorning with purpose.
I've walked with God throughseasons of joy and seasons of
pain.
I've wrestled with questions,stood firm in convictions and
found grace in the everydaymoments.
But that doesn't mean I have toshut the door on imagination.
In fact, I think imagination,when grounded in truth, can be
one of the most beautiful wayswe experience God.
You see, I grew up on stories.
I read them, watched them, drewthem, breathed them in.
Superheroes that sacrificedeverything to save the world.
(01:23):
Anime characters who never gaveup even when all seemed lost.
Comics filled with brokenpeople trying to do the right
thing.
Those stories weren't justentertainment for me, they were
mirrors and mentors, and Istarted to see something
Patterns, echoes, moments thatreminded me of scripture, of
truth, of grace.
I remember watching a hero makethe ultimate sacrifice to save
others, and in that moment mymind jumped to John, chapter 15,
(01:46):
verse 13.
Greater love has no one thanthis to lay down one's life for
one's friends.
That's Jesus, right there, inthe middle of a movie, or the
moment a villain is offeredforgiveness undeserved,
unexpected, transformative.
And I thought of Luke, chapter15, verse 20.
But while he was still a longway off, his father saw him and
was filled with compassion forhim.
He ran to his son, threw hisarms around him and kissed him.
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He ran to his son, threw hisarms around him and kissed him.
That's the prodigal son.
That's the gospel.
These aren't just surface-levelcomparisons.
These are threads of deepertruth woven into stories that
speak to something in our soul.
So when someone says youshouldn't be into that stuff,
it's more than just a critiqueof my hobbies.
It's a misunderstanding of howI connect with the world and
with God.
Let me take you deeper.
There was a season in my lifethat was really hard.
I won't go into all the details, but let's just say I was
feeling lost, my prayers felthollow, my hope felt distant,
and then I stumbled across aparticular anime, storyline 1,
(02:29):
where the character waswrestling with their identity,
trying to find their place,feeling like they didn't belong.
And it hit me, not because itgave me all the answers, but
because it gave me permission toask the questions.
In that storyline I found spaceto process pain, to feel seen,
and slowly it brought me back toscripture with fresh eyes, like
Isaiah, chapter 43, verse 1.
Do not fear, for I haveredeemed you, I have summoned
you by name, you are mine.
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That verse felt different afterseeing someone on screen fight
to believe they mattered.
Suddenly, god's words weren'tjust words, they were personal.
And this is where faith andfandom start to dance.
Faith brings depth to thestories I love and fandom brings
freshness to the way Iunderstand faith.
Yes, I still love beautifullydrawn panels.
I geek out over fan theories, Ican spend hours discussing plot
twists and character arcs, butthose things don't pull me away
(03:11):
from God.
They often push me toward him.
They remind me to look for hisfingerprints in every corner of
life, even in a comic book, evenin a cartoon, even in the odd,
awkward, wonderful world offandom.
And listen, I'm still a big kidat heart.
I laugh loud, cry duringfinales, and sometimes I buy way
too many collectibles.
But that joy, that curiosity,that sense of wonder, that's not
immaturity, that's a gift.
Matthew, chapter 18, verse 3,says Truly, I tell you, unless
(03:36):
you change and become likelittle children, you will never
enter the kingdom of heaven.
Childlike faith isn't foolish,it's fearless.
It believes in things unseen.
It finds joy in simplicity.
It holds on to hope, even whenthe world says grow up.
So yeah, I'm good with being abig kid, because if something as
simple as a scene from an animeor a superhero's selfless act
makes me reflect on grace orcourage or redemption, then I'm
here for it.
I'm not going to apologize forthat, I'm not going to tone it
(03:59):
down or tuck it away.
My joy is real, my faith isstrong, and if these two parts
of me faith and fandom walktogether, then that's exactly
where I'm meant to be.
I'm not alone in this either.
I know so many of you listeningfeel the same.
You found God in unexpectedplaces.
You've had late nightepiphanies because of a
storyline.
You've seen truth shine throughfiction.
That's not a mistake.
That's a reminder that ourcreator is creative and he often
speaks in ways we least expect.
So thank you.
(04:20):
Thank you for being part ofthis journey, for letting me
share my heart and for embracingevery piece of what makes you
who you are.
Keep shining, keep believingand never be afraid to hold
tightly to both your faith andyour fandom.
We've talked about how faith andfandom can coexist, even
complement each other, but let'sbring in some bigger voices and
ancient wisdom here, becausethis idea isn't just a personal
feeling.
It's something rooted in howwe're created and how God
(04:41):
operates in the world.
Let's start with something bigand bold Genesis how we're
created and how God operates inthe world.
Let's start with something bigand bold.
Genesis, chapter 1, verse 1.
In the beginning, god createdthe heavens and the earth.
There it is.
The very first thing we learnabout God is not that he is
judge or king or lawgiver,though he is all of those.
The first thing we know is thatGod is creator.
He's the original artist, themaster storyteller, the spark
(05:02):
behind everything beautiful,vast and mysterious in this
universe.
That means when you feel movedby a story, when you lose
yourself in a piece of music ora powerful scene in a show, when
you doodle in the margins orget chills from a great plot
twist.
That's not random.
That's the image of God in youat work.
Genesis, chapter 1, verse 27,says so God created mankind in
his own image.
In the image of God, he createdthem, male and female.
He created them.
Part of that image iscreativity.
We're made to reflect hisnature and he's the most
(05:23):
creative being there is.
So when we create or when wedeeply appreciate creativity,
we're actually tapping intosomething sacred.
Now that brings us to the worldof fandom.
Fandom is often brushed off assilly or shallow.
People think it's just costumes, collectibles and heated
Twitter debates.
But if you look closer, fandomis really about community.
It's about sharing stories thatmatter.
It's about celebratingimagination, loyalty, resilience
and, yes, even redemption, andthose are all deeply biblical
(05:45):
values.
Let's take a look at Philippians, chapter 4, verse 8.
Paul writes Finally, brothersand sisters, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever isright, whatever is pure,
whatever is lovely, whatever isadmirable, if anything is
excellent or praiseworthy, thinkabout such things.
Now ask yourself can you findthings that are noble, lovely or
admirable in a great anime arc,in a comic book that wrestles
with identity or injustice, in amovie about overcoming darkness
(06:07):
with light, absolutely?
And when you do, when younotice those sparks of truth,
you're not stepping away fromfaith, you're living it out.
You're thinking about thosegood, praiseworthy things Paul
talked about.
You're training your heart tosee beauty and purpose, even in
places that might not betraditionally labeled Christian.
Cs Lewis, one of the greatestChristian thinkers of the modern
era and the mind behind theChronicles of Narnia, once said
this reason is the natural orderof truth, but imagination is
(06:33):
the organ of meaning.
Let that sink in.
Imagination helps us understandwhat truth means.
It's not just facts anddoctrines, it's how those truths
come alive.
And Lewis didn't just writetheological books, he told
stories, stories about lions andwitches and wardrobes, because
he believed that good storiescould point us to the ultimate
story, the gospel.
He's not alone in that belief.
Jrr tolkien, the author of thelord of the rings, another man
of deep christian faith,described his stories as
sub-creation.
He said that when we tellstories, we are reflecting the
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divine act of creation itself.
We're not replacing god, we'reechoing him.
So whether it's fantasy, sci-fi,superhero tales or slice of
life, anime, if it's stirringstirring something good in you,
something that aligns with God'sheart, that's not secular,
that's sacred.
Let's talk about redemption.
One of the clearest gospelthemes in pop culture is the
idea of a character being saved,redeemed from their past.
We see this all the time thevillain who changes, the hero
(07:15):
who rises again, the broken onewho finds healing Sound familiar
.
Romans, chapter 5, verse 8,says but God demonstrates his
own love for us in this.
While we were still sinners,christ died for us.
That's the ultimate redemptionarc, and when we see echoes of
that in fiction, when we getmoved by it, even in a galaxy
far, far away, that's because itpoints to something real,
something written on our hearts.
Now I want to acknowledgesomething here too Not
(07:36):
everything in pop culture isedifying.
There are stories that distorttruth, glorify, harm or
celebrate values that don'talign with God's word, and as
people of faith, we're called touse wisdom and discernment.
Hebrews, chapter 5, verse 14,says but solid food is for the
mature who, by constant use,have trained themselves to
distinguish good from evil.
So it's not about blindlyconsuming anything and
everything.
It's about being attuned towhat the Spirit is saying.
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It's about letting God shapeour lens so we can watch, read
and experience culture in a waythat honors him and, honestly,
that takes maturity.
It's way easier to just sayonly watch Christian movies or
don't touch anything secular,but it's far more powerful and
more biblically sound to saylet's look for God everywhere,
let's test everything by thelight of scripture, let's see
where he might be whisperingthrough creativity.
Because, guess what?
He's not confined to stainedglass windows or worship songs.
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He speaks in burning bushes andBalaam's donkey.
He uses broken people, unlikelymessengers and unexpected
places.
So why not a story?
Why not a superhero?
Why not anime?
If you're someone who's everbeen made to feel like your
fandom makes you less faithful,hear me clearly.
That is not true.
Your love of stories, yourimagination, your joy, that's
not a liability, that's a linkto the divine.
You're not too old, you're nottoo weird, you're not less
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Christian for finding God inunexpected places.
In fact, jesus himself lovedstories.
He taught with parables.
He didn't just lay down rules,he used narrative.
A father and his wayward son, agood Samaritan, a tiny mustard
seed growing into somethinggreat.
Why?
Because stories stick, theyteach, they transform, they move
the heart.
So when you love a story deeply, when it teaches you something
about grace, when it moves youtoward kindness, sacrifice or
(09:03):
hope, don't be ashamed.
That's kingdom stuff, that'ssacred ground.
You, my friend, are right whereyou're meant to be walking in
your faith, standing in yourfandom and letting the God of
all creation speak through bothlike really real.
We live in a world that loveslabels faithful, nerd, mature,
childish, manly, feminine,serious, silly.
And too often we're made tofeel like we have to pick one
box and stay in it forever.
But what if that's not howwe're wired?
What if identity in its truestform is actually about the
(09:25):
wholeness of who we are, not theboxes we've been stuffed into?
Let's start with identity, ourcore identity.
If you are all children of Godthrough faith, not children of
religious stereotypes, notchildren of what other people
expect of you, children of God,that's where it all begins.
So if your faith is sincere, ifyou're rooted in Christ, then
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your passions, your interests,your quirks, your fandoms,
they're not threats to thatidentity, they're expressions of
it.
God doesn't want robots who alllook the same and speak the
same and enjoy only one kind ofthing.
Just take a look at creation.
We've got glowing jellyfish andsnow-covered mountains and
chameleons and flamingos.
We've got over 30,000 speciesof fish alone.
You think a God like that isinto boring, uniform living?
No way.
He's a God of diversity, detailand depth.
(10:08):
Psalm 139, verse 14, says Ipraise you because I am
fearfully and wonderfully made.
Your works are wonderful.
I works are wonderful.
I know that full well.
That includes the part of youthat lights up when you hear a
theme song, that part of youthat gets emotional over a
well-drawn comic book panel,that part of you that remembers
lines from your favorite shows,like their scripture, because in
some way they became sacred toyou.
And here's something we don'ttalk about enough Joy matters in
(10:29):
spiritual maturity.
Somewhere along the way a lotof us started believing that
growing up in Christ means beingserious all the time, like if
you're not quoting scripture24-7s or constantly deep in
prayer, then you must be doingit wrong.
But that's not the Jesus I seein scripture.
Jesus was full of life.
He went to weddings, he laughedwith friends, he welcomed
children, he told stories thatsparked the imagination.
He challenged the joy killersof his day, the Pharisees,
(10:50):
because they turned faith into achecklist instead of a
relationship.
In John, chapter 10, verse 10,jesus says the thief comes only
to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come that they may havelife and have it to the full.
Life to the full, that's a lifethat includes wonder, curiosity
, imagination and yes, fandom.
When you lose yourself insomething creative and good,
when your spirit feels lighterbecause of it, that's not
childish, that's Christ honoring.
Let's flip the script here.
(11:11):
What if holding on to yourfandom is actually a mark of
maturity?
Think about it.
Immaturity isn't about what youenjoy.
It's about how you respond tothe world.
It's about whether you havewisdom, compassion, grace and
truth guiding your steps.
A spiritually immature personmight dismiss others who enjoy
different things.
A spiritually mature personwill listen, engage and
understand that God works in allkinds of spaces.
Maturity says I know who I amin Christ and I don't need to
(11:35):
hide the parts of me that makeme unique.
Colossians chapter 3, verse 17,backs this up beautifully.
And whatever you do, whether inword or deed, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, givingthanks to God, the Father,
through him.
Whatever you do, that includesbinge watching, a season of
anime, writing fan fiction,collecting action figures, going
to Comic Con.
If it's done in gratitude, witha heart that's grounded in God,
it's holy.
And look, there will always bepeople who don't get it.
Some folks may not understandhow faith and fandom can walk
(11:56):
together.
That's okay.
Not everyone has to get it.
But don't let someone else'slack of understanding become the
limitation on your calling.
Romans, chapter 14, verse 5,encourages us with this
perspective.
One person considers one daymore sacred than another,
another considers every dayalike.
Each of them should be fullyconvinced in their own mind.
Paul was talking about Sabbathpractices, but the principle
applies here Be fully convincedin your own mind.
(12:17):
If God has given you peace,purpose and joy through both
your faith and your fandom, thenwalk in that boldly, don't
shrink, don't hide, don'tapologize for who you are,
because when you live fully asyourself, when you embrace every
good thing God has woven intoyour story, you give others
permission to do the same.
Let's talk about the realtension, though.
What happens when our fandomsinclude things that feel morally
gray?
That's a valid question, andthe answer isn't always simple.
(12:37):
Some stories may have languageor themes that challenge your
values.
So how do we navigate that?
The key is discernment.
1 Corinthians, chapter 10, verse23, says I have the right to do
anything, you say, but noteverything is beneficial.
I have the right to do anything, but not everything is
constructive.
Ask the Holy Spirit to guideyou.
Be honest with yourself.
What stirs your spirit in agood way and what pulls you away
from truth?
Not everything in fandom isworth embracing, but that
(13:00):
doesn't mean the entire space isoff limits.
Just like with anything else inlife, we need to be thoughtful.
Spiritual maturity isn't aboutavoiding the world.
It's about walking through theworld with purpose and vision.
Jesus did that.
He didn't isolate himself.
He entered into the mess ofhumanity.
He ate with tax collectors, hetouched the sick, he walked
dusty roads with people whodidn't have it all together and
he never compromised hisidentity in the process.
(13:20):
That's our motto To be in theworld, but not of it.
To engage culture without beingconsumed by it, to find the
light in the stories around usand reflect it back toward the
creator of light.
So, if you've ever felt likeyour love for fandom puts your
faith in question, let this be arelease valve.
You're not a contradiction.
You're not doing faith wrong.
You're not a contradiction.
You're not doing faith wrong.
You're living it out in a waythat's colorful, honest and full
of life.
And, honestly, the church needsmore of that More joy, more
(13:42):
imagination, more people who seebeauty in unexpected places,
because those people people likeyou are often the ones who help
others find Jesus in the placesthey never thought to look, and
maybe, just maybe, that'sexactly where you're meant to be
.
Okay, we've covered a lot ofhard stuff identity, creativity,
maturity.
But let's get into the nittygritty now, because while it's
powerful to embrace both faithand fandom, it's also important
to do it with intentionality.
So in this section, we'rediving into practical tools you
(14:04):
can use to navigate this journey.
Well, you love fandom.
You love Jesus.
How do you keep both in healthytension?
Let's break it down.
Before jumping into a show,series or fandom event, pause to
invite God into the experience.
Prayer isn't just for crises orSundays.
It's a way to connect with yoursoul.
Try praying, lord.
Help me engage with this wisely, keeping my heart grounded.
Reveal what's true and guide methrough anything that's not.
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James, chapter 1, verse 5,reminds us If any of you lacks
wisdom, you should ask God, whogives generously to all, without
finding fault, and it will begiven to you.
God isn't waiting to judge yourmissteps.
He wants to guide you with love.
Involve him in your mediachoices and you'll find greater
clarity and peace.
As you navigate, pay attentionto what's feeding you.
Some stories lift your spirit,others drain it.
(14:47):
Some characters inspire you,others fill your mind with
heaviness or confusion.
Take time to reflect afterwatching or reading something.
Ask yourself did this draw mecloser to grace, hope or love?
Did it stir up things in methat I need to process with God?
Would I be proud to talk aboutthis with someone seeking Christ
?
Philippians, chapter 1, verse10, says so that you may be able
to discern what is best and maybe pure and blameless for the
day of Christ.
Discernment isn't about fear,it's about freedom.
When you know what helps yougrow, you're more free to enjoy
(15:08):
those things deeply and withoutguilt.
Set boundaries without shame.
Boundaries aren't about beingrestrictive.
They're about being wise, andthey'll look different for
everyone.
Maybe for you, that means notwatching shows with graphic
content, even if everyone elseraves about them.
Maybe it's setting a time limitso you don't fall into the
binge watch black hole.
Maybe it's taking a break fromfandom spaces that are getting
too toxic or negative.
That's not weakness, that'smaturity.
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Proverbs, chapter 4, verse 23,says above all else, guard your
heart, for everything you doflows from it.
Guarding your heart doesn'tmean building walls.
It means choosing what comes inand what gets to stay.
If something starts to distortyour peace, joy or focus, it's
okay to step back.
No shame.
Look for redemptive themes,because discernment doesn't mean
you have to become a critic.
It actually opens the door todeeper meaning.
Start training your eyes andears to notice the spiritual
(15:50):
themes in the stories youalready love.
Sacrifice, that's the cross.
Forgiveness, that's grace.
Courage against darkness.
Romans, chapter 12, verse 2,says Do not conform to the
pattern of this world, but betransformed by the renewing of
your mind.
Then you will be able to testand approve what God's will is
His good, pleasing and perfectwill.
A renewed mind sees God insurprising places.
(16:11):
So next time you're watchingyour favorite series or reading
a comic, look for those divineechoes.
They're everywhere, once youknow how to spot them.
One of the coolest things aboutfandom is community.
It's why cons exist.
It's why cons exist.
It's why fan pages blow up.
People love gathering aroundthe stories they care about.
But don't stop at the surfacelevel.
Build a faith-based communitywithin your fandom spaces.
Start a small group with fellowfans who also love Jesus.
(16:31):
Host a Bible study where youcompare story arcs with
scripture themes.
Share devotionals that drawfrom pop culture references.
Use fandom as a bridge fordeeper spiritual connection.
Hebrews, chapter 10, verse 24and 25, says and let us consider
how we may spur one another ontoward love and good deeds, not
giving up meeting together butencouraging one another.
You don't have to choosebetween hanging with your people
and honoring your faith.
Find people who do both and bethat person for someone else.
(16:54):
Be a light in your fandom space, whether you're in a cosplay
group, a subreddit, a discordserver or just chatting with
friends, remember that you carrythe light of Christ with you.
That doesn't mean preaching allthe time.
It means showing up withkindness, curiosity,
encouragement and integrity.
Matthew, chapter 5, verse 16,says In the same way, let your
light shine before others thatthey may see your good deeds and
glorify your Father in heaven.
People are watching how yourespond, how you talk about
(17:16):
tough issues, how you lovepeople who are different, how
you treat the weird andwonderful world of fandom.
Be the kind of person thatmakes others think wow, I didn't
know faith could look like that.
Permit yourself to embrace whatyou truly love.
Stop apologizing for whatignites your spirit.
If it breathes life into yoursoul, the creator isn't asking
you to forsake it.
He's calling you to weave himinto it.
Ecclesiastes, chapter 3, verses12 and 13, states I know that
(17:41):
there is nothing better forpeople than to be happy and to
do good while they live, thateach of them may eat and drink
and find satisfaction in alltheir toil.
This is the gift of God.
Joy is a divine gift.
Living fully doesn't lessenyour spirituality.
It enriches your faith.
So, whether you're in your 30s,still inspired by Irene's fight
for freedom in Attack on Titanor binge-watching the series
after hours, embrace it.
You're not behind, you're notoff track.
You're living with purpose andjoy, and that's a bold testament
(18:01):
to your faith.
Alright, fam, this is where weget into the questions, because
I know I'm not the only onewho's been walking this path of
loving Jesus and loving fandom,and when you're trying to blend
those two worlds, stuff comes up.
So let's get honest and realwith some of the most common
questions people ask.
When they're walking out faithin the middle of fandom life,
what do I say when someonecriticizes my interests?
Great question, and one a lotof us have probably faced.
Whether it's someone in churchwho side-eyes your anime hoodie
(18:23):
or a family member who thinksyour collectibles are childish,
it can feel dismissive anddiscouraging.
Here's the deal.
You don't owe anyone a defensefor what brings you life,
especially if it aligns withyour values and honors God.
But that doesn't mean you haveto be defensive either.
Try responding with grace andconfidence.
These stories actually help meconnect with deeper truths.
They inspire me to be morehopeful, courageous and even
more grounded in my faith.
1 Peter 3.15 gives usa solidapproach, but in your hearts
(18:46):
revere Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give ananswer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hopethat you have.
But do this with gentleness andrespect.
Your response doesn't have tobe an argument, just speak from
your experience.
That's powerful enough.
Can I really find God in secularmedia?
Absolutely, if your heart istuned to listen.
There's a misconception thatGod only speaks through things
labeled Christian.
But he's the God of everything.
(19:07):
He spoke through a burning bush, a talking donkey and even
pagan kings in the Bible.
He is not limited.
Psalm 24, verse 1, reminds usthe earth is the Lord's and
everything in it, the world andall who live in it.
God's truth is truth whereverit shows up.
When a fictional story revealssomething about grace, sacrifice
or redemption, it's echoing theheart of the gospel, whether
the creators intended it or not.
The key is discernment.
(19:27):
Don't turn off your spiritualradar, but also don't close your
heart to the ways God mightspeak through creativity.
What if my favorite show orseries has stuff in it that
doesn't line up with my faith?
That's a real one, and it's notalways black and white.
Some stories mix beautifulthemes with problematic elements
.
Maybe there's violence,language or messages that
conflict with biblical truth.
So what do you do?
Here's the short answer Checkin with the Holy Spirit, ask is
(19:49):
this helping or hindering myspiritual growth?
Do I feel peace when I watchthis?
Can I separate the meaningfulparts from the mess, or is it
blurring too many lines?
Romans, chapter 14, verse 22,encourages us.
So, whatever you believe aboutthese things, keep between
yourself and God.
Blessed is the one who does notcondemn himself by what he
approves.
Some shows you might be fine,with Others you might feel a
nudge.
To let go of, it's okay.
That's not legalism, that'swisdom.
(20:10):
God's not looking for perfectmedia choices.
He's looking for a willingheart.
How do I raise kids who lovefandom and stay rooted in faith?
This is such an important onefor parents, guardians or even
youth leaders out there.
First.
First, remember this your kidsare growing up in a world of
stories and, instead ofshielding them from every
non-Christian thing, teach themhow to process what they're
seeing.
Watch with them.
Talk about themes, askquestions like what did that
(20:31):
character do that was brave orkind?
Did this story remind you ofanything in the Bible?
How would Jesus respond in thatsituation?
Use fandom moments asdiscipleship tools.
Deuteronomy, chapter 6, verse 7, says Impress God's
commandments on your children.
Talk about them when you sit athome and when you walk along
the road, when you lie down andwhen you get up.
That includes while you'rewatching an animated movie or
reading a graphic novel together.
(20:52):
Faith isn't confined todevotionals.
It flows through daily life,even fandom life.
What if I feel guilty aboutloving fandom stuff more than I
should?
Let's pause here and be gentlewith ourselves.
Sometimes we've internalizedguilt because we think spiritual
life has to look a certain way,like if you don't wake up and
read Leviticus before breakfastor if your worship playlist
isn't on 24-7, you're somehowless devoted.
But remember what Jesus said inMatthew, chapter 22, verses 37
(21:13):
to 39.
Love the Lord, your God, withall your heart and with all your
soul and with all your mind,and love your neighbor as
yourself.
He didn't say love me byavoiding fun or don't get
excited about stories.
He said love me with your wholebeing and if part of how you
love him is through art, wonder,creativity and stories that
stir your spirit, that counts.
That's part of your heart andhe wants all of it.
Guilt has no place when yourjoy is rooted in truth.
(21:34):
How can I be a witness inphantom spaces?
You don't have to lead a Biblestudy and cosplay, though.
If you do, that's amazing.
Being a witness starts withbeing real.
Be honest about your faith.
Show up with love, modelrespect in conversations.
Encourage others, share whatGod's teaching you, even
casually.
When someone asks what givesyou hope or why you love a
certain redemption arc, shareyour heart.
You never know what seeds youmight be planting.
(21:55):
Colossians, chapter 4, verse 6,says Let your conversation be
always full of grace, seasonedwith salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.
It's not about having all theanswers.
It's about being open, groundedand present.
So if you've got questions,you're not alone.
That tension you feel it's notsomething to be ashamed of.
It's proof that you care.
You want to walk this path withintegrity and that's something
God honors deeply.
You're not a contradiction.
You're a beautiful collision oftruth and imagination, grounded
(22:17):
in grace.
Wow, what a journey today, huh,if you've been hanging out with
me this whole episode.
Thank you Seriously.
Thank you for leaning in, forbeing open to this conversation
and for letting me sharesomething that's really close to
my heart.
We've talked about a lot, fromthat moment of criticism that
sparked this whole thing to thedeep truths about how our faith
and our fandom don't have toexist on opposite ends of who we
are.
We've unpacked scripture, heardfrom some spiritual giants, got
(22:39):
real with our emotions andmaybe even saw ourselves a
little more clearly in theprocess.
So here's what I hope you'rewalking away with today you are
not a contradiction.
You're a masterpiece inprogress, a beautiful fusion of
faith and creativity, truth andimagination, worship and wonder,
and you don't have to choosebetween being devoted to God and
loving what lights up your soul.
You can honor God while geekingout over your favorite series.
You can reflect His characterthrough the way you engage with
(23:00):
stories, communities andcreativity, and you can stand
confidently in the truth that hemade you.
He delights in you and he seesthe whole picture, even the
parts other people might notunderstand.
So keep being you, keep showingup with that wide-eyed wonder,
keep looking for God inunexpected places, keep asking
big questions and loving bigstories.
Keep carrying your faith intoevery space you walk into,
fandom included, because ifthere's anything this episode
(23:20):
has reminded us, it's that theGod of the universe doesn't just
tolerate our passions.
He gave them to us.
He's the author of your story,and he's not done writing it yet
.
Before I go, let me leave youwith one more verse, one that's
been my anthem lately.
It's from Micah, chapter 6,verse 8.
He has shown you, o mortal,what is good and what does the
Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercyand to walk humbly with your
God.
Let that be your guide, whetheryou're in church, at a
(23:41):
convention, online in a fandomspace or curled up with your
favorite graphic novel act.
With justice, love mercy, walkhumbly and do it all with joy.
Before we wrap up, I want totalk to anyone listening right
now who feels like you'restanding at a crossroads.
Maybe your past feels too heavy, maybe your future feels
uncertain.
Maybe you're ready to stopwandering and start walking with
Jesus.
If you've never accepted Christas your savior, or maybe you've
(24:02):
drifted and want to come home,you can make that decision right
now.
You don't need a stage or aperfect prayer.
You just need an open heart.
Jesus, I believe you are theSon of God.
I believe you died on the crossfor my sins and rose again so I
could have new life.
I turn from my old ways and askyou to be the Lord of my life.
No-transcript and your legacyis being rewritten by grace For
(24:28):
free resources to help you growin your faith.
Visit us atthecrossroadscollectiveorg and
if you'd like to connect, shareyour story or ask questions,
email us anytime at jm atthecrossroadscollectiveorg.
This has been the CompassChronicles.
Thanks for walking with metoday.
Until next time, keep yourcompass set on Christ, god bless
.
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