Standing up for truth...

A great example of a kingdom warrior has appeared in a rather unexpected place. Of course, one of the most effective tactics in warfare is surprise. So, it should come as no surprise that this warrior loaded her slingshot and took a shot at the giant publicly, before millions of people and in a manner so winsome as to strike a powerful blow to the powers of darkness.

I refer, of course, to Carrie Prejean, a top contender for the title of Miss USA. When she was asked by one of the judges about her view of "gay" marriage, Miss Prejean smiled and said that, in her opinion, the traditional concept that marriage is the union of one man and one woman is the correct one. It is widely believed that this answer cost her the crown in this contest.

This young woman of God stood by her faith and her convictions rather than caving to political correctness or, worse, compromising her beliefs for the sake of temporal gain. She knows full well that her true reward will come in the form of the crown she will wear in eternity. Miss Prejean remembers what Jesus told us, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21) This is a young woman who has much to teach the rest of us who claim to be Christian soldiers. As Dr. Ray Pritchard wrote on Crosswalk.com:

[B]y keeping her cool under enormous pressure, she gains support from millions of people. And if she had caved and given some mumbo-jumbo answer, she might have won the pageant and would have disappeared from the cultural radar. Better in this case to speak your convictions firmly and politely and leave the results in God’s hands.

She illustrates the need for Christians with tenacious, winsome courage. Tenacious meaning we won’t give up. Courage meaning we speak out when the time comes. Winsome meaning we speak with a smile, not a frown.

When asked about controversial matters, we would all do well to take the “Joe Friday” approach: “Just the facts, Ma’am.” Brief is better. Just say what you believe, don’t make a big deal about it, and don’t try to explain it or nuance it. Short and simple with a smile wins the day.

Many see beauty pageant contestants as starry-eyed, simple-minded, narcissitic air-heads whose most controversial political stance goes something like: "I believe in world peace, feeding the hungry, and non-euthanizing animal shelters." Miss Prejean's boldness in standing for truth, in spite of the cost to her personally, is clear evidence that not all beauty queens are created equal.