A question has been mingling around in my mind that has challenged me to the core. This question is, “what in this world would I be willing to sacrifice my life for in order for something else to live? This is not the most positive question to have mingling in my mind, but I have come to horrific conclusions!
When the question first popped into my head I thought there would be a whole stream of things I’d be ready to give my life up for. However, after careful thought I’ve realized there are only two things I’d be willing to go to the grave in order that something else may live; that is God (sounds cliche, but I really would give up my life so others can experience the freedom there is in Christ Jesus) and the love of my life, my wife Raquel.
If most people answered this question they would probably say their children, their spouse or their parents. No-one would say their dog or cat, I hope no-one would say their house or car and tell me if I’m wrong but 99.9% would not say their church!
There were a band of brothers who lived two thousand years ago who were ready to give up their life in order for something else to live, this thing was something we call the church of Jesus Christ! They believed in the cause, the vision, the core values and the life of the church so much that they realized it was way bigger than themselves.
Today there are many people who say they are part of something way bigger than themselves. Well if this is true would you be willing to die for that cause if it meant that cause could live? How about the church you attend? What if on Sunday Morning as you are sitting in your favorite seat listening to the Pastor you so dearly love, when government officials came bursting through the doors and said this church can no longer exist. After debating and arguing with government officials they give a reprieve. They say, ‘we will let this church live only if one of you are willing to die for the cause! I’m sure we’d get a whole lot of takers!
However, this band of brothers did exactly that! They lay down their life so that the church could live! I want to be part of something that I am so moved by the vision, so shaken by the cause and so bound by the core values that I would realize my life cannot accomplish anything compared to this church and I would be willing to lay down my life at the drop of the hat because I know that church will be able to bring hope and life to thousands, and for that reason I’d be willing to die!
What about you? Are you part of something you would be willing to die for? What sort of cause and vision would it take for you to lay down your life?
July 17th, 2009 at 10:03 am
Hmm very interesting. I believe the same thing…God, my wife, & my children I would die for.
July 17th, 2009 at 11:07 am
It’s good to see your commitment to your family Joey, even in these tough circumstances
July 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Wow Alex. Deep stuff. I have been there myself lately. Be careful what you pray for. I have prayed that line in a song “break my heart for what breaks Yours”, and have wept more lately than I want to talk about. WE-the church- need to get there. The great commission was GO, not wait for the lost to come to us. What am I willing to die for? I pray that I am willing to die for the gospel of Jesus Christ….as the time grows short, I think we will see what we are really made of. Keep challenging us, we need it. Love you two so much. Darlene Prater