Conviction.
I know, I know. The title of this post is just alluring, isn't it?
Let's face it, no one likes conviction. Why would we?
This 'C'-word often manifests itself as a slight tug at our heartstrings, a that warning that something is amiss in our inner-being.
It's an ever-present reminder that something needs to change...
We hate conviction because it reminds us of our failures, our flaws, our imperfections, our short-comings and our weaknesses...This creeping 'C' is easy to run from and even easier to hide.
Just keep doing your normal routine. Be satisfied. Be content.
Stop dreaming. Stay complacent.
Simply ignore the 'C'...or at very least try...
Trust me, I am an expert at running and hiding, but a recent sense of dare-I-say, conviction, has yet to leave.
Frankly, I'm not sure that it will...not until change is made...
It began at a church camp in the boonies of Missouri. A few things that the speaker said read like this from my recycled journal:
"Suffering is more than an inconvience."
"The world is not attracted to a shallow belief system."
"Our religion says that you go deep and risk everything for the gospel."
and then, the mind-set of some American Christians:
"I love my Christianity, but I'm not going to take huge risks for God."
*cue conviction right about now*
I've been on mission trips. I've given to the poor and fed the hungry. I've made sacrifices for God and the furthering of His Gospel.
but...
I'VE NEVER SUFFERED, especially not as I sit in this clean, well-lit, well-air conditioned home, drinking filtered water and typing away on my newly purchased laptop.
I'VE NEVER RISKED EVERYTHING FOR THE GOSPEL.
When I think of sacrifice, two stories in Scripture come to mind.
First, is the one of the rich, young ruler which can be found in Luke 18:18-30.
"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack, Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me (18:22)."
Secondly, I am reminded of the disciples' callings. Here's an example:
"After this he (Jesus) went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything, he rose and followed him (Luke 5:27-28). "
I don't know about you, but I more often feel like the rich ruler, who walked away sad after hearing Jesus' words, than the disciple.
Each packed box for college and each little "bing" at the check-out counter result in layer upon layer of conviction.
What if I really did sell all that I have and give it to the poor?
Resulting in: myself, the clothes on my back, my Jesus and His Word.
Would I be labeled as some wacko, super Christian media-stunt ...or would others actually take a stand and do the same?
Is Jesus really who He says He is? Would I really be satisfied if all I had was Jesus?
I know, I know. The title of this post is just alluring, isn't it?
Let's face it, no one likes conviction. Why would we?
This 'C'-word often manifests itself as a slight tug at our heartstrings, a that warning that something is amiss in our inner-being.
It's an ever-present reminder that something needs to change...
We hate conviction because it reminds us of our failures, our flaws, our imperfections, our short-comings and our weaknesses...This creeping 'C' is easy to run from and even easier to hide.
Just keep doing your normal routine. Be satisfied. Be content.
Stop dreaming. Stay complacent.
Simply ignore the 'C'...or at very least try...
Trust me, I am an expert at running and hiding, but a recent sense of dare-I-say, conviction, has yet to leave.
Frankly, I'm not sure that it will...not until change is made...
It began at a church camp in the boonies of Missouri. A few things that the speaker said read like this from my recycled journal:
"Suffering is more than an inconvience."
"The world is not attracted to a shallow belief system."
"Our religion says that you go deep and risk everything for the gospel."
and then, the mind-set of some American Christians:
"I love my Christianity, but I'm not going to take huge risks for God."
*cue conviction right about now*
I've been on mission trips. I've given to the poor and fed the hungry. I've made sacrifices for God and the furthering of His Gospel.
but...
I'VE NEVER SUFFERED, especially not as I sit in this clean, well-lit, well-air conditioned home, drinking filtered water and typing away on my newly purchased laptop.
I'VE NEVER RISKED EVERYTHING FOR THE GOSPEL.
When I think of sacrifice, two stories in Scripture come to mind.
First, is the one of the rich, young ruler which can be found in Luke 18:18-30.
"When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "One thing you still lack, Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me (18:22)."
Secondly, I am reminded of the disciples' callings. Here's an example:
"After this he (Jesus) went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, "Follow me." And leaving everything, he rose and followed him (Luke 5:27-28). "
I don't know about you, but I more often feel like the rich ruler, who walked away sad after hearing Jesus' words, than the disciple.
Each packed box for college and each little "bing" at the check-out counter result in layer upon layer of conviction.
What if I really did sell all that I have and give it to the poor?
Resulting in: myself, the clothes on my back, my Jesus and His Word.
Would I be labeled as some wacko, super Christian media-stunt ...or would others actually take a stand and do the same?
Is Jesus really who He says He is? Would I really be satisfied if all I had was Jesus?
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