In most areas of my life, I've never been afraid to run on empty. I'd stay up late and wake up early praying that coffee and red bull would pull me through the day. I'd make plans with friends and family for all hours of the day and night knowing that my homework and other responsibilities would get done at some point. I'd even figured out that when my gas light came on, I could still make the 25 minute drive to and from Outback 4 times without running out of fuel. I pushed myself to my limits with reckless abandon. For a while now, God has been trying to teach me to operate the same way in my faith.
When it comes to my walk with God, I've spent exponentially more time filling up than I have pouring out. Before coming on the World Race, I don't think I EVER experienced running on empty and since being here I'm not sure if I've ever done it by choice. There have been days where I've been physically and spiritually exhausted by our ministry but when a new month rolls around and our contact tells us that ministry will only be 2 hours a day, I lapse right back into my old habits- resting whenever I can and working for the Lord only when I'm asked.
This morning while listening to a podcast (The Pain of the Mission by Todd Nighonger), I was reminded of God's call on our lives. We are called to live a life of abandonment because we don't belong here. Most people live a life of taking what they can get now because they operate as if this is all there is. I know I'm guilty of that. As Christians, we should be “looking for the city to come” because we have no lasting city here (Hebrews 14:14). We should be rejecting a life of comfort now because our future reward is worth it. We have a perfect example and we should be following it.
A few months back, a legit man of God on my Squad gave us a challenge. We had just spent a night of worship together praising our Father and being filled up. Burton challenged us to go out that month and come back on empty. He wanted to see us at the end of the month running on fumes. He wanted us to pour out everything we had and keep nothing for ourselves trusting that God would be there to refuel us when we ran out.
His words started a movement in my heart that God has continued to bring to completion. I didn't take his challenge then but I am taking it now and I am asking you to do the same. God didn't call us to a life of comfort. This life is a vapor while heaven is eternity. Spending this life pouring out and giving it all is WORTH IT. When Jesus came, He brought heaven to earth and He didn't do it to make us more safe and comfortable. When He brought heaven it collided and He made messes and we are called to follow in His footsteps.
