God spilt the life of his Son that we might be saved, are we prepared to spill out our lives?
———Oswald Chambers
The place where God calls you is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
———Frederick Buechner
What level of Risk are you willing take? Are you full of fear? Are you afraid to take a chance? Have you ever given like a Macedonian?
We want you to know, brothers, [1] about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.
—— 2 Corinthians 8:1-3
In “Risk is Right”, in the forward of John Piper’s book, David Platt quotes Matthew 13: 44 where Jesus tells his disciples, “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.”
Piper, John (2013-01-31). Risk Is Right: Better to Lose Your Life Than to Waste It (p. 9). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Platt says, “This is the picture of Jesus in the gospel. He is something— someone— worth losing everything for. When we really believe this, then risking everything we are and everything we have, to know and obey Christ is no longer a matter of sacrifice. It’s just common sense. To let go of the pursuits, possessions, pleasures, safety, and security of this world in order to follow Jesus wherever he leads, no matter what it costs, is not sacrificial as much as it is smart. In the words of Jim Elliot, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.”
But where are the “Jim Elliots” these days? Do you know any men or women (Elizabeth Elliot) like this? I don’t !! Why not? Its like the question I asked a month ago in a blog……..”Do you have anyone in your life who will shed blood with you in the fight and stand by you to sacrifice for and with you?” But is that the right question? The real question as I pondered this is……….”Will I be that person for someone else? Am I willing to take the first step? Am I willing to take a risk?
Can I truly agree with Paul and Piper in the first chapter, The Ultimate Meaning of Life……………..
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
——Phil. 1: 20– 21
Piper, John (2013-01-31). Risk Is Right: Better to Lose Your Life Than to Waste It (p. 13). Crossway. Kindle Edition.
Of course not and if you are honest…………you can’t say it either because you cling to everything just like I do. You love money and security even if it robs your joy and makes you mediocre in the Kingdom……..I feel more secure on this planet than I would in the perfect will of God. Can you see how silly and stupid this sounds?
Have you ever looked down into a pool of water……..on a cliff 40 or 50 feet above…………trying to decide if you have the guts to jump??? I remember twice in my life…once in WVA and another time in NC………it was thrilling! Scary…………was I willing to take the risk? But after I did it, I did it again and again…….because it was exhilarating!!!! The fear turned into the thrill of freedom!!!
I have to agree with Eldridge when he says….”I want to live my whole life like that. I want to love with much more abandon and stop waiting for others to love me first. I want to hurl myself into a creative work worthy of God. I want to charge the fields of Bannockburn, follow Peter as he followed Christ out onto the sea, pray from my hearts true desires.”
Don’t let this stinkin, selfish world rob you of joy, it aint worth it compared to Eternity…………Take a Risk…….Take an Adventure! You will never have enough money because you love it so much and the so-called security it brings………Understand what Buechner is saying…….God is calling you to deep gladness to meet a need………..a need that you are called to meet…………Listen to Him, take the risk and go Practice your Faith.