While reading David Platt’s Radical this morning, I came across a passage that I felt would be interesting to share. It comes from Chapter 8, titled Living When Dying is Gain.
“…one fundamental truth: your life is free to be radical when you see death as reward. This is the essence of what Jesus taught in Matthew 10…
The key is realizing – and believing – that this world is not your home. If you and I ever hope to free our lives from worldly desires, worldly thinking, worldly pleasures, worldly dreams, worldly ideals, worldly values, worldly ambitions, and worldly acclaim, then we must focus our lives on another world. Though you and I live in the United States of America now, we must fix our attention on ‘a better country – a heavenly one.‘ Though you and I find ourselves surrounded by the lure of temporary pleasure, we must fasten our affections on the one who promises eternal treasure that will never spoil or fade. If your life or my life is going to count on earth, we must start by concentrating on heaven. For then, and only then, will you and I be free to take a radical risk, knowing that what awaits us is radical reward.”
Ok, I’ll be honest…this was a challenging, but convicting chapter to read. Recently, I’ve been studying Revelation and Philippians in two bible studies. In both, an overarching theme is Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:21: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” In the modern world, this principle can come across as puzzling or weird. Why wouldn’t your primary focus be professional career advancement, a family, nice things, a prosperous future, a long life?
Platt’s words remind me that the world’s standard of success is oftentimes contradictory to the life believers are called to live. It’s hard to deviate from society’s pursuit of affluence. In a world oftentimes driven by privilege and pleasure, it’s against the “social norm” to give up your life on earth for an eternal perspective. At first, this idea is a tough pill to swallow. To non-believers, it appears that following God means countless rules and a bunch of things you can’t have or do. For example, recently I had a conversation with an old friend about my decision to do mission work. During our chat, he said to me: “How can you go at such a crucial time in your life? This is the time to establish your career, build your savings for the future, find a husband, and start a family. How can you leave now? It seems like poor timing…” I’ll admit that initially, many of these thoughts did cross my mind. But then I remembered that we are not promised tomorrow. Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed… And did Christ teach that following Him would be easy? Not at all. He taught that we should be willing to “risk it all” for his kingdom. This is the realization I had when I decided to take part in the World Race. Like many other people my age, I do want a husband, a family, and a comfortable life – but more than all of those things, in my heart I want to live for God. That is where my greatest passion lies! To witness the magnitude of God’s glory, holiness, and splendor (that we can’t even begin to fathom), and to live in His presence for eternity will be a far greater reward than anything this temporary world can offer. For this, I desire to live entirely for Christ. I am certain that it will require great sacrifice, but I am excited and ready to rise to the challenge! In Him is where our greatest joy is found.
With love,
Em
Psalm 16:11 – You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
