Worth Dying For

Worth Dying For

 

 

There are many people in this world.  There are many possessions we have.  But what would you really be willing to sacrifice your life for?  Would you endure excruciating pain to defend something important to you?  Lately, I’ve been reading the book “Radical,” by David Platt, and it’s really beginning to alter my perspective on my faith.  I’ve come to a point where God is so real to me, and He has become the focus in my life.  However, as I read this book I am faced with wonder.  I wonder…would I be willing to sneak to an underground church in a small town in China, risking being tormented the government for breaking the law? Would I be willing to give away ALL my possessions, like the guy in Mark 10, to honor my God? As questions like these envelop my mind, some truths about the church of today have become clear to me. 

The truth: The sacrificial lifestyle of a Christian is for today.

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Luke 14:33

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

I’m not sure where or when perception got distorted, but God certainly isn’t lowering His standards as time goes by.  He asks that we, as disciples, are willing to sacrifice ourselves, our possessions, our everything for Him. And if were not willing to do that, then are we really being disciples at all?

The truth: Comfort = stagnancy.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. Matthew 5:13

¹⁵ I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Matthew 3:15-16

As you can see, God likes them spicay Christians ;).  When we become content and stop stepping outside our comfort zone to draw nearer to Him, He gets bored!  I mean seriously…spitting out the “lukewarm?”  I do NOT want to be that person. If we fail to obey God when it gets a little uncomfortable, we’re taking a step in the wrong direction.

The truth: God is always by your side.

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8

Things God asks of us can be scary, no doubt.  But even in the silence, he is still right by our side.  These verses (truths) are encouraging tools to remind us of God’s faithfulness.  Sure, sacrifice is painful.  Sacrifice is hard!  God does not ask us to endure it alone though. 

The truth: It’s worth it.

If you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations on earth. Deuteronomy 28:1

Although the blessing is not the goal, giving everything to God in your life on earth does not go unnoticed. God keeps track of our every move, and will reward us for our sacrifice.

 

Now I’ll be real, the idea of giving up my life for my faith is something I am certainly still shaky on.  It’s very difficult to get away from the selfish part of me that helplessly values my own life.  When it comes down to it though, God truly is worth it all. I hope that as you read this you, too, are challenged to stretch your faith. I also encourage you to read the book “Radical.”  It will mess you up!

Until next time,

Tamara

Fine Arts Essay

Hey guys, I know it's been a while since I've posted. Well, this is why! Below is a copy of my Fine Arts First Person Essay. The theme this year was "Finish/ed," which, as you can imagine, has potential for all sorts of different interpretations. What does it mean to finish, how often do we start something and not finish, what's the point in finishing...the list goes on. Anyway, this is my interepretation. Hope you enjoy!

 

The Arrival 

Finish: to complete; to refine; to arrive.  Starting a task has never been an issue for me.  Perhaps that’s because the only possibility was to improve from my current standings.  On the other hand, finishing can be quite a daunting endeavor, and may include obstacles and hardships that I never intended to face.  I can remember as a young child, I’d play games with my brothers and the second I started to lose I would say, “I quit!”  As I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that the same childish attitude I possessed during those games is still my natural tendency when the cost of obstacles seemingly begin to outweigh the goal of the finish line.

            God never promised that the things He asks of me will be easy, rather He stated that through HIM, I am a conqueror  because of His great love which will bring me through (Romans 8:37.)    One time I remember feeling led to pray over a girl for healing.  However, I’d never met this girl before, nor did I feel comfortable doing so.  Despite my feelings, I pushed myself to do it, and words beyond my own wisdom came out of my mouth. I realized something: God will give me the strength I need to finish His work.  I simply need to take action.  This is something I find I must constantly remind myself because it’s so easy to get caught up in worldly views of self-empowerment, when ultimately my strength to finish doesn’t have to come from me; but from HIM.

            A couple years prior to my example above, I was at a point where I had stopped working towards the finish line. I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember, but about five years ago I recall feeling spiritually stuck; like I wasn’t moving forward at all.  If anything, I was moving backward.  I began to wonder why God wasn’t bringing me out of the rut I was in.  In all honesty, I had reached a point of complacency.  Sure, God was challenging me to do new things; but not things I wanted to do!  For some reason, He wasn’t getting closer to me! Little did I know that it was my responsibility to grow, and being complacent was simply not an option.

            Finally one day in church, a simple message about Bible reading and prayer caught my attention.  As basic of a sermon it was, it made me realize that I wasn’t actively pursuing God like I should have been.  God is there to carry my burdens, but I have to seek Him to find Him!  I made a decision that day (which still stands true): I choose to run to the finish line.  Sure, I could probably still get into heaven by remaining where I’m at right now.  In the same sense, I could also walk to a finish line.  But why?  Finishing is more than just scraping by; it’s a journey which leads to an arrival.

            Sure enough, this decision ensured obstacles, discomfort, and pain.  Just like running, the battles only got stronger as I went further along. My decision, although rewarding, definitely impacted my relationships with others.  As I became more vocal about my relationship with God, people often treated me differently or tagged me as “weird.” Many friends of mine had difficulty understanding why I became “so religious,” and often questioned or mocked my decisions that went against the “norms” of society.  I was also faced with fear and discomfort as God led me to serve in ways beyond my own capabilities. For example, I distinctly remember God pushing me to speak up in a situation with some friends of mine.  It was awkward and distressing at the time, but little experiences like this reminded me of God’s power, peace, and comfort. Perhaps it was my age, or perhaps God gave me strength I needed; nonetheless, I began to realize that obstacles are inevitable, but the finish line is well worth the fight. 

            I look forward to the day when I finally do reach the finish line. Although the journey there is the main focus, the reward is the icing on the cake.  I cannot fathom what will come beyond the finish line; but I know this: It’s something worth running towards.  The obstacles I have faced, and the trials to come are simply attacks of the enemy meant to lead me astray.  As John 16:33 states, “In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world!”  Although finishing isn’t always the easiest option, it is unquestionably the most rewarding.   And when that day comes, I will not walk through the finish line; I will run; run to the One who carried me through it all.

-Tamara