Radical Response: Week 7

Chapter Seven: 

"There Is No Plan B: Why Going is Urgent, Not Optional"

Do you know how BADLY I want to just get up and GO?! Go far, far away to people who have NEVER heard of the Jesus Christ I have kept to myself while keeping good and busy with acquiring more, more, more of whatever I have desired in life. Go to these people who have no hope. People who don't know Who created them. People who don't realize the penalty for being the sinners they (we!!) inevitably are. Do you KNOW how badly I want to?!!

Yeah.......

I don't either.

I don't know. I'm so torn. One minute I'm thinking, "What am I doing just sitting here on my very nice couch in my very nice living room watching my very nice TV after having a very nice meal (one of three today!)? What is wrong with me?! How can I be so disgustingly selfish?!!" And then I'm thinking, "Oh, dear. Why me? It would be so much easier to...ummmm...not! I've got a lot going on around here. And one day I might like to retire and travel...for fun. MY fun." I can so easily slip back into an out-of-sight, out-of-mind frame of thinking. Just pretend that what's important is making memories with my family, saving money, being healthy, and getting places on time. (Oh, boy.) And pretend that there are not billions of people going to HELL!! And that I'm responsible for sharing the Christ Who Saves with them. It's my job to tell them. My God-given job. (Matthew 28:19) It's not optional.

"If people are dying and going to hell without ever even knowing there is a gospel, then we clearly have no time to waste our lives on an American dream."

Clearly.

But it's not easy. It's not easy to give up my way of life. I want to hold on to it. I want to make myself feel safe and secure and avoid the very idea of going someplace dangerous, scary, poverty-stricken, and hopeless. Because that might just freak me out, and we all know that freaking out is being out-of-control and having to rely 100% on God for our every need. (Yikes!)

So am I a "Christian" who claims Christ is the only way, but then lives like everything will work out okay in the end for all the rest of the people in the world? I think I sort of AM. I mean, I certainly don't BELIEVE in such a pluralistic viewpoint. I don't BELIEVE that there are other ways to get to heaven. I don't BELIEVE for one second that Christ's death on the cross was anything other than absolutely, horrifically necessary to pay for my sins. So why do I live like this is not an urgent matter? Or a desperate one? 

I think it's just more of the same self-centered heart that we are all born with. And I think Satan wants us as busy as possible so there's no time to reflect on the eternal damnation of the billions in the world who are either following a religious path that will lead them nowhere or who have no inkling of who Jesus Christ is. And IF we stop to think about it, he wants us thinking there are too many, and we can't do anything to make a real difference. And that maybe God is unjust in having things this way. That maybe God is the bad guy. But Satan is forever trying to deceive us. We know that!

And while it doesn't SEEM fair that there are so many who don't know Jesus...and therefore will go to hell, "there is no injustice in God," says David Platt and more authoritatively, the Bible! (Romans 9:14) Instead, "the injustice lies in Christians who possess the gospel and refuse to give their lives to making it known among those who haven't heard. That is unfair."

And that IS unfair. And I've been a part of it. I've not gone anywhere! I've not risked anything! I've not lived out the fact that the gospel is worthy enough of whatever cost I must pay to get it to others. I've not even acted like it on a daily basis with my children!!

At this point, I guess I'm left with a sort of dissatisfaction. With myself...and with church, in general. Churches that put forth so much effort in making our buildings comfortable and conducive to all our "programs," who make sure teenagers (who have HEARD about Jesus) get to go on purely fun trips, and yet say to potential missionaries: "What if you're not REALLY being called? We wouldn't want to put our money toward financing your endeavor if it's not the real thing." (Romans 10:15) 

This chapter was so great because it debunked the whole "you've got to be CALLED to go into missions" thing. I do believe God CALLS people. And sometimes in very dramatic ways. But the fact is...we are ALL "called." GOING is God's will for all of us!! Whatever that may look like. Maybe it's GOING over to your neighbor's house and showing some hospitality to them. Maybe it's GOING to a local school to volunteer, love on kids, and show Christ's love to them. Maybe it's GOING on a short-term mission trip to provide medical attention and share the gospel as you help restore health to a hurting people. Or maybe it's GOING for good. No matter what the cost. No matter WHO thinks you're not "for real." But GOING because God commands you to do so. And because there is no greater cause worth living and dying for.

This post is part of an on-going read-along at Marla Taviano's blog.



**All quotes, unless noted otherwise, are from David Platt's book.

Radical Response: Week 6

Chapter 6:

How Much is Enough?: American Wealth and a World of Poverty

Oh, this chapter is right up my alley. I've been dealing with the plague that "stuff" has brought on my life for a while now. One day several years ago I just woke up and suddenly felt engulfed by it! Everywhere I looked there was more stuff. So much I couldn't even manage it all. It always needed dusting, picking up, putting away, organizing, etc. There was no end. Sadly, my first thought (and the one I went with) was that we needed a bigger house so we'd have a place to PUT all of the stuff. Well, one big house with lots of storage space later, it finally dawned on me:

I can't control the stuff. 

I am overwhelmed by how much there is, and how much work it requires of me! So, basically, the stuff is controlling ME! 

Huh. Considering God's plan is to GIVE out of your abundance...not HOARD out of it, is it any wonder that it got so bad?  

Don't you see? It's a test. And I'm quite sure that most of us are FAILING it on a daily basis. 

So you've been blessed with much. A great salary. A large house. A manicured lawn. Quality furnishings filling every bare wall. And plenty of trinkets, decorative knick-knacks, spare sets of dishes, a wide range of shoe choices, and a well-stocked pantry. What now? Sit around enjoying it all while you view the latest episode of some trite drama on your very large flatscreen? (I hope y'all know I have a very large flatscreen. And I hate it. I love it. I hate it.) Unfortunately, that's what most of us do. And then we go spend some MORE money on ourselves and get ourselves further and further into debt (one kind or another).

But God's plan is to bless YOU so that YOU can see the needs of others and, because of your transformation in Jesus Christ, YOU will have compassion on them and YOU will give YOUR stuff, your money, your time, your gifts...to meet those needs.

Have you passed that test?

I confess, I haven't. 

I've failed miserably.

Because I haven't cared. ("But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1 John 3:17 ESV)

I haven't cared and I haven't even NOTICED anyone else but myself for SO very long. But what if we noticed that...

"More than twenty-six children today will breathe their last breath due to starvation or a preventable disease."  (emphasis added)

Are you okay with that? Does it bother you at all? Is it just not REAL enough for you? Or is that the kind of statement (or program) that makes you switch the channel on your very large flatscreen?

I mean. That's an atrocity. But it's especially unfathomable in light of the luxuries WE all have and yet are discontented with. Disgusting. And then I think of all the people who actually believe that those in great need like this are there because of a lack of faith or a lifestyle of sin. That as long as we are "in God's will" and obeying Him, etc. we'll have "health and wealth." (Down with the evil Prosperity Gospel!) Here's a news flash: Faith in Christ does not equal worldly prosperity. PLEASE! Consider all His saints all over this dangerous planet risking. their. lives. just to know Him more. That takes faith. US going home to our huge homes with their adjustable thermostats and nice, cozy beds after our fabulous restaurant dinners...well...does NOT.

And that's me! Oh, I've had my moments of despair. I've had my share of financial troubles. I wouldn't, in fact, say I'm free and clear even NOW. But I have not had to watch my children starve right before my very eyes. I have not had to roam the streets looking for shelter. I have not lived in a tiny, poorly-built shack where raw sewage runs right by my door. I have not had to go hungry. I have not had to worship in secret. I have not been without a home or medical care. 

And yet, I often take it all for granted. Wanting more. Keeping more for myself. Giving not nearly enough. 

But here's the great thing about God. God is just awesome enough to take my affluent lifestyle, bring me to my knees by allowing the very thing we Americans all strive for to crush my spoiled-brat spirit, and then cause me and my husband to desire to sell our large home (on the market for 5.5 months now) and most of the stuff in it so we can get out from under debt's very large thumb...so that we can have a surplus of money each month. A surplus of money with which we can help send missionaries, we can give away to the poor, and we can bless others with. And a surplus of time with which to train our children better and serve others more, since we won't be wasting all our time dealing with our stuff! God is just awesome enough to provide for the poor by teaching me a hard lesson about stuff. You know. A lesson He already made perfectly clear in. His. Word.

Because...

"...I realize there is never going to come a day when I stand before God and he looks at me and says, 'I wish you would have kept more for yourself.'"

Let me be clear. This is not a judgment post. I just have to joyfully declare that God is changing my desires. Am I a full-out, give-it-all-away radical yet? No! I'm definitely a work in progress. I still struggle with unbelief (that God will provide) so I want to hoard things. I still struggle with treasuring earthly memories and things instead of heavenly rewards.("The mark of Christ followers is that their hearts are in heaven and their treasures are spent there.") The point is, I struggle.

But God. But God!

'Cause I am struggling less than I used to. Really--the very fact that I struggle at all--that it's no longer easy for me to just go on about my willy-nilly stuff-buying and stuff-storing ways--is a testament to the work He is doing in me. And I KNOW the Lord will get me where He wants me, and I can't wait to see all His plans unfold!

For more responses to chapter 6 in Radical by David Platt, visit Marla Taviano's blog.

Radical Response: Week 5

Chapter Five:

The Multiplying Community: How All of Us Join Together to Fulfill God's Purpose

I'm continuing along in the Radical Read-Along and have been seeing confirmation everywhere about the things I'm reading, the things God is convicting me about. It makes me excited (and, honestly, a little nervous) about what God may have in store for me and my family. 

But after reading this week's chapter, I must admit something. If I'm really being truthful about my entire spiritual walk thus far, I would have to say I've had a "gimme" attitude about it. I have mostly been a RECEIVER. I have attended conferences and concerts so I could be fed. I have spiritual cravings, and I want them satisfied. I sit in church thinking, "How does this apply to me and my life?" There's nothing wrong with that in and of itself. But most of the time, at least with me, it stops there. It stops with me. As if I am the "end of the story"! As if God just wants ME to hear and learn and grow.

Jesus, on the other hand, (and isn't He always on the other hand from me?!) was a REPRODUCER. He spent His entire life with twelve chosen men, building into their lives, teaching them, amazing them, growing them, loving them, and knowing them (and all their flaws).

At our church we have a saying: "Who is pouring into you...and who are you pouring into?"

Paul and I have had first-hand experience with what it's like to have people pouring into you. In fact, lots of different people have touched our lives and taught us things, but one couple in particular really challenged us, guided us, loved us, and truly mentored us more than any of the others combined. And it all started out quite simply by inviting us into their home, being willing to share their very valuable time with us, and just living out their lives in front of us. It was a wonderful time of growth for us, though certainly not an easy time. (I'm sure it wasn't easy for our friends, either!)

But what they did is what WE are called to do. We are called to make disciples. How? By welcoming people into our lives...by loving them...and then by teaching them.

This kind of discipleship, though, is not very common. Some of the blame here lies in the way church and other social groups are often structured. MOST of the time, we tend to flock together with people LIKE us. Usually to people our age and people with whom we have things in common. Paul and I have long felt a desire to be mentors to those coming behind us, but too often small groups at church are cliquish and lack real lived-out wisdom because all the "wise guys" (and I don't mean that how it sounds) are in their very own group, while all the "young'uns" are leading themselves, basically, in THEIR own group. Has this been anybody else's experience?

But I'll certainly have to pick up some of the blame myself. Because WE haven't done for someone else what our friends did for us. And we could. We just haven't. And we have no plausible excuse. Of course, it's not all about building into those who already know Christ. It's also about reaching out to those who don't. And my confession is this: I have been much too caught up in the cooking/cleaning/diaper/laundry/discipline/exhaustion that my life seems to MOSTLY be about. Too caught up to have ANY time for anyone else in the world, this city, or even my own neighborhood. I barely have time for the people I KNOW, much less the ones I don't. And I really think it's deep down because I don't WANT to find the time. It would be too much effort. And I want my life to be easy. And speed-bump free. (Because it's all about me.) Frankly.

The fact is, though, we are responsible for teaching God's Word to others on a daily basis. This firstly starts at home with the children we've been blessed to raise as God's own. It is our job to teach them every day and in every moment about God. Again, I confess that much of the time I'm far too concerned with the unimportant practical stuff rather than the all-important spiritual stuff that I've been called to pass down. God keeps having to hit me over the head (which hurts, doesn't it?) with the question, "Does this matter? Does it advance my kingdom here on earth? Are you equipping warriors for the cross today?"

And then, heaven knows I could stand to invite someone over every once in a while. Maybe I could even go do something nice for someone I don't even know, for the purpose of actually GETTING to know them and then introducing them to Jesus Christ. There's a concept!

So what does this mean for me right now?? It means not being so self-focused when I hear God's Word being preached. Instead of thinking, "What can I get out of this?" I need to be thinking, "How can I listen to His Word so that I am equipped to teach this Word to others?" (quotes by David Platt)

Hmmm...once again. Taking the focus off of ME...and putting it back where it belongs. On God. And what it is HE wants for the world and for the individuals in the world. And then having JOY in getting to be a part of that process! JOY in the responsibility. Because it matters above all else! Christians need to be known less for what they DON'T do...and more for what they DO. (Ouch.) 

So what am I DOing

And in what ways do my actions show my belief (or unbelief) in God? 

Have I made any more impact on the world than I did before I was saved?

Wow. Do I really want to answer those questions?

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." --Matt. 28:19-20

Radical Response: Week 4

Chapter Four: 

"The Great Why of God: God's Global Purpose From the Beginning Till Today"

I've blogged about my selfishness before. Not that I said everything there was to be said. Certainly, I could go on and on about how on a daily basis it's really all about me. What I want for breakfast. What I want to do with my day. Who I want to spend my time with. Where I want to go. Even WHY I want to do whatever. How I really don't consider what's best for others, or put them first. In fact, sometimes (in my mind) my selfishness seems justified, though it never is. And let's not forget about all of those around us (and beyond) who may suffer as a result of that selfishness.  (Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Phil. 2:3)

But life is short. Right? I've got to do "abc" for me. I can do "xyz" for God later. This mentality is everywhere we turn in our society. I want what I want WHEN I want it, and I don't care who has to suffer as a result of my going after that thing. Certainly...certainly we are often not concerned with God's PLAN for us, or what His Word says about that thing we want, or really the most important thing--whether or not God will be glorified in our "thing."

Honestly, I just wonder sometimes how much we really WANT what God wants for us. Much less what He wants for the rest of the world. Do we CARE what brings God the most glory? Or do we want what's easiest for us? Or what appeals to our need to feel good about ourselves? When it comes right down to it, aren't we all in it for ourselves?

I hear this a lot. Goodness, I've probably said it myself a time or two. It goes something like this: 'God has not called me to do missions.' Yeah. Heard it? Said it? Or He isn't calling me to [insert geographical location here] right now. Maybe later.

But David Platt wants to know...where in the Bible is missions given as an "optional program in the church"?! Jesus commanded us to go into all the nations. To leave our comfort zones, to leave those things/people we think we can't live without, and to GO. NOW. Not ONCE we get a few of our own plans accomplished or AFTER we've experienced this or that. But now. Go wherever we need to go, wherever God has given us a heart to go. 

Go. do. something. for. Him. 

Because...

He. did. everything. for. you.

"We have taken this command, though, and reduced it to a calling--something that only a few people receive."

The rest of us figure those "called" will do enough good to cover us while we bask in our own laziness and our self-made successful lifestyles we so treasure. We may even send a little money. To make us feel spiritual and stuff.

I'm not saying we should disdain the successes we've had or the blessings God has given us. But MOST of the time, people who have been blessed with success stop there, thinking that's the glorious end to their "American-Dreamed" story. But WE ourselves are never the main thing, even at the end of our own story. It is God from the beginning to the end and every day in between. Our stories are only parts of HIS story (history). So when you're pondering all your success, your profit, all your "abundant life now"-ness, consider this, written by a mom upon returning from a trip to Guatemala:

"(God says...) I have blessed you for my glory. Not so you will have a comfortable life with a big house and a nice car. (And--this is me here--can I interject with...'Not so you will fall in love, get married, and have however many kids you always thought you'd like to have.' ??) Not so you can spend lots of money on vacations, education, or clothing. Those aren't bad things, but I've blessed you so that the nations will know me and see my glory."

Whoa.
 

This week my man and I were lounging on the couch. I was probably blogging or something (because I can't just do ONE thing at a time), and he was flipping through the channels on TV. He stopped for a second on a Christian channel of some sort where a preacher was telling about the successes God had blessed him with. His point was focused on asking God for things. "Ask and ye shall receive (much)." He told about how God had given him some money (from viewers sending in checks, mind you), and that after investing it here and there, it had multiplied greatly. So. He went out and bought a multi-million-dollar jet. And three days later bought an even nicer one. 

I was stunned. 

I don't know why exactly. I've heard these things before. This "American Dream" drivel being passed off as something spiritual and enlightening and God-blessed. But THIS TIME all I could think about was all the hungry (physically, emotionally, and spiritually) in the world that he could have helped and thus given God great acclaim for Himself. Oh, he gave God the credit for all that money alright. He stood in awe of what God could do. But it was all about what God could do for him. God, however, is in the business of spreading His name over all the earth. That is His heart. And for those of us who have been chosen and adopted into His family, for those of us who owe Him our lives because He saved them, that should be our heart, too.

"To disconnect God's blessing from God's global purpose is to spiral downward into an unbiblical, self-saturated Christianity that misses the point of God's grace."

I think the thing that stood out the most for me in this chapter was a discussion about Paul calling himself a debtor to the nations in the first chapter of Romans. He is basically saying that "because he is owned by Christ, he owes Christ to the world." Now we see why Paul never stayed home. (Did he even have a home?) He spent all his days preaching the gospel, helping others, spreading God's fame to the nations. Unselfishly.

I leave you with an excerpt from a song I love and one I remember being quoted by a friend upon her return from a missions trip:

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

(from "Hosanna" by Brooke Fraser)

I'm linked up with Marla Taviano's Radical Read-Along group. If you'd like to read the book, go here to get yourself a copy.

* All quotes, unless noted otherwise, are from David Platt's book.
 

Radical Response: Week 3

The "Radical Read-Along" has been one of the best opportunities spiritually for me in a long time. I hope you'll be encouraged by my regular "response" posts to get the book (Radical: Taking Back Your Faith From the American Dream by David Platt) and read it. And you should definitely check out the other bloggers' responses as well.

Chapter Three: 

"Beginning at the End of Ourselves: The Importance of Relying on God's Power"

Do you trust in the power of God? Really trust?? Like enough trust that you'd bank everything on it, even your very life? There are actually people who do that today. Men and women who have given their entire selves over to complete dedication to the Lord Almighty and KNOW without a shadow of a doubt that He is capable of ANYthing within His will. 

The same God who promised Abraham he would be the father of a mighty nation and at the age of 99 (his wife, 89!!) finally gave him a son, is our God today. The same God who caused the walls of Jericho to fall while the Israelites merely stood there shouting and blowing their trumpets, is our God today. This same God can still do amazing things...and does! And yet most of the time we do not believe this. Not deep down anyway. 

I mean, if you were a highly-trained fighter who, one day, was threatened by a scary witch doctor ready to fight you, would you believe in God's power so much that you would sit in a chair, rather than confidently fight (knowing you'd likely win), proclaiming that God does your fighting for you now? Would you just sit there knowing the witch doctor could do anything he wanted to you while you sat and waited for the Lord to do something? Could you just wait there? Unflinching? (BTW, this is not just some random example here, but a true account of something that happened to an Indonesian believer. Platt shares that the witch doctor suddenly began choking and gasping for air, only to fall over dead...all while the believer sat in his chair.) God does not NEED us or our "awesome" abilities. After all, any abilities we may have are only ours because He gave them to us!

In America, it is shoved down our throats every where we turn that "there is no limit to what we can accomplish," that we should "believe in ourselves," and that we are "innately capable." And while that all sounds hunky-dory, it just isn't biblical. Jesus says, "Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5) The entire gospel message beginning with our moral depravity from birth to Christ's triumph over death when He arose from the grave three days after being crucified on the Cross for OUR sins, is about "our utter inability to accomplish anything of value apart from him." 

And besides, let's face it. The only reason we'd want to, if we're being honest with ourselves, is so that we'd get some recognition, some respect, some adoration, some attention. We want something for ourselves. The goal of the American Dream: "to make much of ourselves." But here's a giant "Guess what?!" thought I have to keep reminding myself. Ummm...WE don't deserve any recognition. HE does. In fact, HE deserves it all. And that is truly the ultimate goal of the gospel: "to make much of God."

Platt warns us against the danger of manufacturing our churches. So many of our churches, it seems, are all about making church more palatable. They seek to draw as many people in as possible and then provide them with quality entertainment, practical "how-to" type messages, a magnificent facility, and countless "programs" run by professionals (or, at least, people put through some sort of training). 

"That way, for example, parents can simply drop off their kids at the door, and the professionals can handle ministry for them. We don't want people trying this at home."  (emphasis added)

Churches often strive to find the best speakers, singers, musicians, education professionals, etc., give them all the title of "Minister of ...," have them put together "teams," and then "do church." Then we can all stand in awe of their accomplishments as they work together to "grow their church" and "impress people" with their well-orchestrated service. Of course, I have no doubt that those in these churches do what they do because they love the Lord, but we have to be careful that our churches are established THROUGH His power, ACCORDING to His plans, and FOR His glory. Considering what we've (all) been brought up to believe about ourselves, this might be easier said than done. 

"We have convinced ourselves that if we can position our resources and organize our strategies, then in church as in every other sphere of life, we can accomplish anything we set our minds to." 

What's missing here, is our desperate need for God and His power and His plan. Desperate need. How many of us truly feel desperate for Him? The truth is, most of us think we've got it covered. In church. And in life. The truth is, not only do we think we've got it covered, but we think we're just about amazing enough to knock it out of the park with no one's help, least of all a God we cannot see. Instead, we believe (even those of us with "low self-esteem") that we are pretty self-sufficient and don't need to trust ANYone, and thank goodness, because then we might have to wait for something and besides, we're not so sure we even can trust anyone. Not even God!

I mean, do we believe in our heart of hearts that God CAN and WILL do His sovereign will and bring about His kingdom? And that He'll do all this in His own power? He truly doesn't need us, as I've said before. But he graciously USES us, provides for us, guides us, and comforts us, all because He has put His Spirit within us, as believers, and allows us to do amazing things BY. HIS. POWER.

This chapter was convicting to me for many of the same reasons as last week. I was thinking of how often I think, "I'm good at this or that. I should volunteer to do such and such." How often I do that, and then find myself, in my own strength, trying to accomplish the task...and not doing so well. Or even failing miserably. God is gracious to allow my failure so that I can see my need for Him. So that I won't get glory for my efforts. Whatever I may do well is because of Him anyway, so I should be finding ways to "make much of Him!" That should be my life's goal.

I will not boast in anything.

No gift, no power, no wisdom.

But I will boast in Jesus Christ,

His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?

I cannot give an answer.

But this I know with all my heart

His wounds have paid my ransom.

(lyrics from "How Deep the Father's Love For Us" by Stuart Townsend)

You can read my responses to Chapter One here and Chapter Two here.

*All quotes, unless noted otherwise, are from David Platt's book.

Radical Response: Week 2

Well, I'm still reading. More like devouring. In case I forget to say this, YOU SHOULD READ THIS BOOK! 'Mkay? Especially since right now it's on CRAZY sale at Amazon!!! (Wish I had gotten this great price.)

Chapter Two:

"Too Hungry For Words: Discovering the Truth and Beauty of the Gospel"

I'm one of those people who get easily overwhelmed by life, I think. I spend a lot of time worrying about this or that and wondering how I can fix things so they'll work more smoothly. Why do I have this overpowering urge to retreat and be all by myself instead of wanting to cuddle with children? Why can't I stop reacting (rather than responding) to those children? How can I better keep up with the laundry? Why are my counter tops always so cluttered? Which brings in shame. I expect my oldest child to make his bed, but mine's not made. I have stashes of chocolate hidden away for myself I have no intention of sharing. I should have followed through with these (many) things I volunteered to do. I am so unorganized! I could add to this list all day long, and it would still not cover it all. All this stuff that weighs me down??? It can be what causes me to sink to the bottom of the pool and drown, or it can make me keenly aware of my incredible need for Jesus. Daily. Every stinkin' moment.

The world wants to tell me otherwise. The world wants to sell me solutions in the form of books, workshops, blogs, and desktop calendars. I mean, those things are not inherently bad or anything. Heaven knows a timely workshop on organization tips can be just what a frazzled momma needs. But, in general, our culture, specifically the American culture, teaches us we can be self-made, self-realized, and self-improved.  

"Certainly there are steps we can take to make ourselves better."

I have to admit, this way of thinking is something I have to FIGHT every single day!! Because I am naturally a fixer-type person. Maybe you are, too. It's my personality. I like puzzles, math problems, and someone coming to me for advice about something. Because...I like to see the problem solved. I enjoy the conquering of said problem very, very much. My mom once said that she would rather wait until a room is totally wrecked and then totally clean it up (even if it takes all day) than to clean a little here and a little there each day. Why? Because something about accomplishing that huge task feeds something within her. And in a way, I get that. It's why I make lists. It's why I tend to be a wee bit manic depressive energy-wise: going from a borderline depression (doing nothing) to a crazy cleaning fool! I suddenly get this "Take charge!" attitude and get with it. Of course, I never finish. I always fizzle out. I never have nearly the energy required to take on the monumental task I've attempted. And that, more often than not, sends me right back into the so-called depression again.

And I'm a believer!!! I KNOW this is silly, unnecessary bouncing back-and-forth. I KNOW I can rest in Jesus. Imagine the unbeliever. All this constant promoting of our self-esteem and our self-worth our culture is so apt to do leads the unbeliever away from the Cross. The world tells her she's great just the way she is and that if she's not, she can fix it (with the help of somebody, something, or some program, of course). But what's the truth? The truth is that something is missing here. And that is an awareness of our incredibly hopeless state. Hopeless, that is, without Jesus.

I am nothing and nobody. Jesus is all that is worthy since the beginning of time to the very end of time! Who am I?! What can I do?! But deep, deep down, if we're really being honest with ourselves, we ALL believe we can fix many of our troubles ourselves. 

What?! Your house won't sell? Then you should do this, this, and this. What?! Your child won't obey? Then do this, this, and this. What?! You don't have a job? Then go here, here, and here. What?! You're angry at so-and-so?! Then read this book and watch this program...and don't forget to go to counseling. 

Nobody ever says, "Do nothing. What can you possible do to fix this? This, like everything else, is only within God's power and according to His will. Leave it alone and wait." Like I said before, doing something is not really the problem at all. But leaving God out of it. That is the problem. Because what it does is it leads us to believe we really can better ourselves. That we really can "be a better me and experience (our) best life now." (Hmmm...that sounds vaguely and sickeningly familiar.)

"My life is not going right, but God loves me and has a plan to fix my life. I simply need to follow certain steps, think certain things, and check off certain boxes, and then I am good."

So, again, put this frame of mind on someone who is not a believer.  

You can do it. You can have this now. You just have to put your mind to it. You just have to follow these steps. You're going to be amazed at what you can accomplish. 

It can be dangerous. In fact, it can lead to a lot of people going through "the steps" to become a Christian but not even realizing what they're signing up for. Or who this God of the Bible really is; that He is a wrathful one who hates sin. Our culture wants us to forget about how frightening our God can be in His omnipotent power! Our culture wants us to view Him as One who needs US to "surrender" and "come to Him" and to "accept Him."

"We have reduced him to a poor, puny Savior who is just begging for us to accept him. Accept him? Do we really think Jesus needs our acceptance?"

Some years ago there was a brief movement in our area all about "experiencing our best lives now." That kinda thing. The main point of it was that Jesus is your friend. And while that, in itself, is not unbiblical or wrong, it left an incomplete picture of who Christ really is. The power He has. The picture of Him as a mighty warrior who slaughters His enemies. (See Revelation 19) The unbelieving masses need the complete picture! Because total surrender is required. We need to know what we're signing on for. 

People, responding in droves, have "prayed the prayer," "accepted Christ," and/or "walked the aisle." But not every one will enter the kingdom of heaven. Not even every religious person. Not even every person who calls himself "Christian." Not EVEN every one who's "prayed the prayer"! Jesus Himself said "many" will tell Him of all the things they've done for Him, but He will say to them, "I never knew you." (See Matthew 7:21-23.) Walking the aisle one time doesn't get you into the kingdom of Heaven. Nor does going to church each and every Sunday for the rest of your life. KNOWING GOD and BELIEVING GOD. That's what proves you are the real deal. And if you KNOW GOD and BELIEVE GOD, you will do whatever He asks of you at whatever cost.

Do you "want Him so much that (you) abandon everything else to experience Him"?

If you're not there yet, this picture of what Christ did for you might change your perspective:

"All God's holy wrath and hatred toward sin and sinners, stored up since the beginning of the world, is about to be poured out on Him (...) One preacher described it as if you and I were standing a short hundred yards away from a dam of water ten thousand miles high and ten thousand miles wide. All of a sudden that dam was breached, and a torrential flood of water came crashing toward us. Right before it reached our feet, the ground in front of us opened up and swallowed it all. At the Cross, Christ drank the full cup of the wrath of God, and when he had downed the last drop, he turned the cup over and cried out, 'It is finished.'"

That is Jesus Christ, our Savior. He doesn't beg us to come to Him. He already came down to us. He doesn't need US. It is us who need HIM. Desperately. We're hopeless and powerless without Him. "He is mighty to save!" He deserves our everything!

You can read my Chapter One response here.

This and other blogger responses to Chapter Two are linked up with Marla Taviano.

**All quotes, unless noted otherwise, are from David Platt's book.

Radical Sale

You may have read my post on Chapter One of Radical by David Platt. If so, it is highly possible that you read it before I noticed that an entire paragraph was missing. (These things happen to me. I'm sure it's not because of the all-pervading disorganization that is my life.) Feel free to go read the post...now that it makes a little more sense. If you haven't read it, feel free to ummm...read it. *grinning sheepishly*

And then?

Order yourself a copy.

NOW.

It's on major sale at Amazon. Look at that price!!!!!

*click*

Radical Response: Week 1

I'm reading a book along with some other bloggers. It's funny how God brings these things in our lives. How He can make you know FOR SURE that it's something He wants you to do. See? While I was at Family Camp, I had some time one day (during baby naps) to catch up a bit (I'm sooooo far behind) in my blog reading. Some of my favorite blogs had like 25+ unread items!! Obviously, I don't have time to get to all of them, so I was skimming through them and ended up on It's Almost Naptime (WHICH I love, by the way)--only it was a guest post. Ordinarily, I would skip a guest post in times like this, but God must have had it for me to read, because I was drawn in. The post ended up telling about plans for blog followers to read a book together and write posts in response. After reading the post, I was definitely interested--already. (Read it. You'd be interested, too.) But the next morning? Our speaker at Family Camp mentioned the very same book! Up until this point I hadn't even heard of it. Now TWICE--in as many days. That's how I knew I must read the book. I told Paul about it, and we bought a copy on our way home from camp. Now here I am. One chapter under my belt. And what follows is my response to what I've read so far:

Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream by David Platt

Chapter One:

"Someone Worth Losing Everything For: What Radical Abandonment to Jesus Really Means"

Do you ever feel guilty for having so much when others have so little? I do. Constantly! In fact, I think about it all the time. Some would say, "God has blessed you richly. Be thankful for what you have. Enjoy it. Own it." That sort of thing. And, yes, it's true that God has blessed me richly. He's blessed many of us richly. But what we fail to recognize is that even those of us with a more modest income--who wouldn't consider ourselves "rich"--are vastly rich in comparison with MUCH of the world. Even those of us who shop at Goodwill occasionally, as I was doing yesterday, are still in a whole other category of "richness" compared with the majority of the world's population. 

We are rich because we have our choice of t-shirt colors.

We are rich because we drive our cars back-and-forth from one activity to the next. Fun, extra-curricular activities that have nothing to do with our physical survival on this planet.

We are rich because we have medical care, clean water, safety, food, etc. The list could go on and on.

But the main reason we are rich is because those of us who are believers...we have Jesus Christ living in us. Jesus Christ! Who is the ultimate provider, protector, and lover of our souls. He is the only Hope worth hoping for. 

And yet. We keep Him to ourselves. We hide Him within the safe walls of our homes and bring Him out on Sunday mornings as we worship, comfortably and without fear, in our gorgeous, massive, million-dollar churches with all their expensive programs and fine facilities.

Jesus told those who wanted to follow Him, that they would have to give up everything! Family, friends, possessions, even their own lives to be a true follower of Him. Everything! (See Luke 9) Jesus says to get rid of it all! Jesus says those blessings from the Lord? They're His anyway. Give them away so you can follow Him.

"But we don't want to believe it. We are afraid of what it might mean for our lives. So we rationalize these passages away."

And, in doing so, we slowly begin to redefine Christianity. We make Jesus into someone we are more comfortable with. Someone who is fine with our building projects, our constant need to collect more "stuff," our avoidance of all things extreme and dangerous, and our Sunday-only worship. What we'd really like is a Christianity that allows US to have all the things WE want, instead of the Christianity He calls us to, which says for us to abandon ourselves. In Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book, The Cost of Discipleship, he says, "When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die." That is a terrific cost! But as Platt puts it, "I wonder if the cost of nondiscipleship is even greater." (emphasis added)

The price is high for US, as believers, and the price is high for the unbelieving world. "While Christians choose to spend their lives fulfilling the American dream instead of giving their lives to proclaiming the kingdom of God, literally billions in need of the gospel remain in the dark."

I was particularly sickened by a recounting of a Christian publication the author came across on which there were two headlines: "First Baptist Church Celebrates New $23 Million Building" and "Baptist Relief Helps Sudanese Refugees." The second article went on to say that $5,000 had been sent to the Sudan. The Sudan--where 350,000 Sudanese would most likely die by the end of the year due to malnutrition! $23,000,000 for a building...and $5,000 for the dying Sudanese.

I can't understand this, much less reconcile it in my mind. It's truly unfathomable. But while I'm busy being horrified by the injustice of it all, I begin to look around at my home, my closets packed full of stuff, my pantry full of food, and that's when I realize I'm the same. In fact, I'm holding on to all these things as if I can somehow find life's very meaning in them. Am I willing to give up my comforts? Willing to say, "Yes Lord. These beautiful children? I give them to you. They're yours. My precious husband? Him, too. You are all I need. You are ALL I'm living for." Can I actually DO that?! The truth is, the very thought gives me heart palpitations. The truth is I am happy being comfortable. I am selfish. And I am not nearly radical for my Jesus.

I'll tell you what, though. I may be scared like most. But God is teaching me more and more every day. I'm not nearly as caught up in materialism as I once was. I'm much more aware of the great need all across the world. And I'm no longer content with just tolerating the once, maybe twice, a year "Missionary Sunday" presentation at church. I want more! I want to see God working! I am excited for what it is He has planned for me to do for Him. I believe God. I believe God. I believe God. I may have to keep repeating it to myself for it to be more TRUE of me, but whatever it takes, it's what I want to be true. I believe God.

P.S. Our friends have abandoned their "American dream" by believing God and will be on their way to Uganda...to LIVE...in January. You can read about them here. If you, like me, have more than enough and would like to give it away, they could use your financial support in doing God's work loving on countless orphans there.

*All quotes, unless noted otherwise, are from David Platt's book.