Written by Coulter Goodman
As an ardent Christian, I feel the need to exhort my Christian family to things that are nobler and purer. It is for this reason that I will expound upon something that has been troubling my conscience. I don’t know why students are so quick to personify “The World” in this contest. It seems clear that these students who emblazon “The World” across their chests are proud of the fact that they are of “The World.” Paul clearly states that we are to be in the world, but not of it. In Romans 12:2 Christians are admonished not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed. It is of interest that the Greek root of the word transformed is tejagos, also the root of the name Texas. Like Texas, we should be set apart for God. Much like the tribe of Judah when Israel was consumed with debauchery and sin, Texas is a bastion of godly values.
In a country that is seething with liberal values and long hair, Texas remains a bedrock of conservatism and Christian values. For example, the origin of the greeting “howdy” has been lost on those who are not from Texas. The common misconception is that it is derived from the phrase “how do you do,” while the true history is much richer.
When Sam Houston and the Texas army conquered the army of Mexico in a single battle that was shorter than most chapels, he approached the defeated Mexican general Santa Anna, who was caught in a woman’s dress as he attempted to flee the battle. Houston spoke the phrase “How holy is he?” when he emerged victorious from the smoky battleground, giving honor to God. Due to his Texas accent and a speech impediment which was the result of a childhood mishap, his officers and aides believed him to have said “Howdy.” This phrase was spread throughout the army as a shortened way to give glory to God in the heat of battle when there was little time to utter a full prayer. It passed into the vernacular as a greeting and spiritual encouragement. To this day, strangers on the campus of Texas A&M can be assured that they will be greeted with this holy saying.
But my attention today is not on the philology of Texans. Nor is it about the lack of holiness on behalf of “The World” students. It is about following the narrow path. Interstate 30, which goes from Arkansas to Texas, has recently had lots of construction, leaving only one lane open if you are going to Texas and three lanes open if you are leaving Texas. Three lanes out of Texas. One lane into Texas.
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it,” says Jesus. Coincidence? I think not. Texas fun fact #87: 64 percent of males in El Paso are named either Jesús orÁngelo, which is Spanish for angel. The world may say this is coincidence, but the saints would all agree that this can only be providence.
We must remember that truth by its very definition is exclusive. It is not possible that both Texas and The World can be ‘the best.’ Indeed if these are our only two options, as they appear to be in this contest, and God has spoken through his servant Paul that we are not to align ourselves with the world, then the only path that remains for us is the way of righteousness, of holiness, of Texas.
