My cousin Amy and I were having a conversation today about what exactly does it mean or look like to lay down your life and follow after Him. I've been reading some books lately that cause me to ask the same thing. Honestly, I was probably asking that question before reading the books which is what led me to them. The books are The Hole in Our Gospel and Radical. They are amazing! They pretty much cause you to question your "American" lifestyle in regards to the millions who are in need. Why?? Because if we are HIS and they are HIS then why don't we care? And I don't mean "care" as in get teary eyed when we see some sad video footage but CARE as in giving all we have to change it. I see it FAR too often in "believers" who've gotten on the "keeping up with the Jonses" bandwagon. Constantly concerned about earthly possessions that are going to FADE away instead of meeting the needs of HIS children. We are all guilty! I was reading an article about the author of Crazy Love the other day. They lived in a nice home, he had a nice salary and felt led to sacrificially follow HIM. His wife was NOT on board. She went with it but reluctantly. They looked at trailer homes, and ended up downsizing to a home in a lower socioeconomic area where they could MINISTER to those in NEED. Today they have numerous people living in their home. I believe they have 3 children of their own and they open their home up to widows and people in need. His wife has had a change of heart. She said it's been the best thing for the entire family. Imagine how freeing and joyful it would be to live a life completely sacrificed to His calling.
So, my question is how are you different? It's clear in the Bible we are suppose to be a LIGHT in a dark world, we should appear as aliens to the lost world. What does that mean to us in America? Maybe it looks like downsizing. WHAT? Do you know we barely have enough room now for all of our THINGS? Hmmm.... how important are those THINGS? Cameron and I are hoping and praying we can live frugally over the next 4-5 years and become debt free. One reason we're able to come close to that is because we purchased an $80,000 home. God has blessed us with absolute contentment! That doesn't mean when we walk the neighborhood and see the $150,000 - $250,000 homes we don't admire but we know what comes with that. CHAINS!! We are hoping to be free of debt so we can give in anyway He calls us. I would LOVE to plan family "vacations" to Ethiopia, Rwanda, etc. My prayer is that my children do not grow to lust after the things of this world but are willing to sacrifice their comfort and wants for His purposes.
So how are you RADICALLY different? Is your lifestyle really a testimony to how you've laid down your life, desires and followed after Him? I'm not asking do your neighbors or coworkers know if you go to church and love the baby Jesus? But do they REALLY see a radical difference in the way you give up ALL to follow Him?
My prayer is that He will show me and you where He is leading us to radically sacrifice.
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Aidan & I just had this same conversation this week. So many of his friends have electronic games, we have opted not to do some "nice" toys like a Wii for now and used the money to support Sempala.
Every little bit makes a difference. I also am hoping our kids grow up with the true idea of wants and needs and focus on the needs of others, instead of their own wants.
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