Christianity in The Power Of One

In The Power of One, Christianity was a big aspect, and it was shown as a negative thing.  Peekay's mom had become a devout Christian while he was off at school.  When he came home, she was portrayed as an arrogant, controlling, and judgemental woman because of her faith.  She was constantly trying to convert Peekay and his grandfather to Christianity.  Every time they did something that she disapproved of, she would say that if they just gave their life to their Lord, they would be forgiven and could go to Heaven with her one day.  But some of those things that she disapproved of were boxing and going out with Doc, and those are not necessarily bad things in God's eyes.  So she was an extreme that made Christianity look distasteful, and this offended me.  However, I do understand that people have different views of different religions.  I also understand that some Christians do come off as holier-than-thou and judgemental of everyone who does not share their views.  Plus, the extremes are meant to make a point, occasionally offend, and get a reaction.  If it had been something like Courtenay making football or playing an instrument look like an awful idea, I could understand others in our class being offended at that as well.  So I can see Courtnay's reasoning for making Peekay's mother an extreme.  There was a comment that a student made in my class that I disagree with though.  The student said that following a religion is okay as long as it doesn't overtake your life, but the point of being a Christian is giving your whole life over to God.  In Matthew 13, there is a parable about a trader who was looking for fine pearls.  One day, he found the most valuable of all pearls.  He went out and sold everything that he had just so he could have this one pearl.  That is supposed to show that when we have this beautiful treasure of our Lord saving us, we should be doing all we can for Him even if it means giving up everything else.  So if someone really claims to be a Christian, their life should reflect that in giving their all for God.  And can't school work be that something that overtakes your life and therefore, in this students view, be a bad thing?  If you let your life revolve around getting the absolute best grades in class and spending all your time doing school work, you are going to miss out on friendships and relationships and all the other beautiful and wonderful things God created us for.  Plus, once someone does actually beat you with a grade in class or being number one over you in class ranking, what do you have then?  Whereas God is always there, and you don't have to compete with anyone to have one because He loves us all.  In my life, I would say that this comment by the student really affected me.  It made me sad to think that this student has a view of Christianity that shouldn't be that way.  Christians are supposed to be loving, caring, and encouraging.  We were created to glorify Him by loving those around us, and it makes me sad that this student has obviously not experienced someone who has let God "overtake" their life.  I want to be that person.  I want to show him that letting God consume you is admirable, beautiful, and worth it.  That there is a joy in your life even when things around you seem awful, and you feel like your drowning.  That joy is there because you always have your Father with you, and I want to show him that joy even on my worst days.