I'm sitting in class right now, and I'm writing this down so I can blog it later. I don't know if I have mentioned the book Radical yet but I'm reading through it right now. Chapter 8 begins by explaining "the American Dream" as coined by James Adams and used by Franklin Roosevelt to explain the action that Americans take to sacrifice in order for a better future–the action of taking a risk in order to gain a reward. Platt goes on to say Jesus asked the same of his followers when he told the disciples in Matthew 10:16, " I am sending you our like sheep among wolves." In this statement Jesus is telling us that he expects for us to encounter danger, the wolves. He doesn't always ask us to be safe or comfortable.
Now, I have had people tell us when they hear what we are about to do that this is the best time to take a trip like this, because neither of us have full time jobs and we have not had kids yet. I know they have the best of intentions, but convenience is not why we have decided to go. We are going because we were called to go. Ty and I are headed to countries with disease and part of the risk of going is accepting the fact that we will be in danger of these diseases. Christ commands us in chapter 10 of Matthew to "heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. " The places we are headed are unsafe and will be uncomfortable, but we have been called to "go and make disciples of all nations." Platt concludes after going through Matthew 10 that danger will increase the closer we are to Christ. I don't think I will be measuring anyone's relationship with Christ based on how much danger they are encountering anytime soon, but after reading chapter 10 myself, what other conclusion have I to make. Jesus says, " I have not come to bring peace, but a sword… to set a man against his father… whoever finds his life will loose it, and whoever looses his life for my sake will find it." Therefore, will I not be closer to the heart of God if I can be rid of the comfort I find in this life?
