Are you ready to die?
This is the question that our contact asks us everyday as soon as he sees us. My response…. umm, no? The first day we were at the ministry site he told us that he is ready for God to take him any day, and that the only thing that keeps him here is his family. But he is ready.
After the third time he asked us this I started thinking about the meaning behind his question. I struggled with understanding this response because there are still things that I desire to do here on earth. Things that I know I am called to do by God. But at the same time we should continuously desire to be in His presence and desire to be in perfect communion with Him which can only happen in heaven. So as we fulfill our calling here on earth we are continuously longing to be in His presence – in heaven. So why does a question like “Are you ready to die today” shake me up so much? I’m not longing for His presence like I should be.
I have been putting things before Him, desires and longings that were not for Him. I don’t desire to die today because I am putting my value and trust in things that are not Him. How much different would my life look if I truly was ready to die each day, to die for Him? I know that I would more fully embrace the callings He has put on my life. I know that I would fear man’s opinion less. I would be captivated daily by His presence. I would be obsessed with seeking Him, and I would see Him every where and in everything.
And I am not saying that my earthly desires are not good and not from Him, because I know that He put them there. But when those desires come before God, then there is a problem. And you might think that all that I just wrote about seeking Him and desiring Him can’t be completed here on earth. And in some ways you are right. We won’t be in perfect communion with Him until we enter heaven. BUT what if we chased after the Lord like it is possible to be as close to Him as our breath? What if we sought Him like we might die without His presence? What if we needed Him so desperately that we thought we would not make it through the day without Him?
That is the place I want to be. That is the walk with Christ that I want. I don’t want to be cheated out of anything that I can have now with Christ.
And that is what I want for others. I want everyone to know the gospel and to know what was sacrificed on the cross for them. I want people to live in the fullness of His presence. That is what the World Race is about for me, not only getting closer to God, but also spreading the amazing news of Christ.
Fundraising Update: I still need another $1,500 to meet my next fundraising deadline at the end of the month. I don’t feel like my trip is over. I don’t believe that God would call me to do this trip and get me this far and not provide the rest of the funds. So please be praying for my finances and prayerfully consider donating.
