I have been reading today the 2010 book by David Platt entitled "Radical". Do NOT read it if you want to remain a comfortable Christian. It is a challenging call to true biblical discipleship by someone pastoring a large wealthy congregation in Birmingham, Tennessee. David is honest about his own struggles and the struggles in his congregation as they are moving into true, radical discipleship. He provides examples both from developing countries and from his own congregation. (His second book is much smaller, a follow up: "Radical Together".)
As Jesus does over and over in the Gospels, Platt calls us to realign our priorities; to radically examine our stewardship; to be involved in discipleship and to deepen our concern for a world of need.
As I read the book today, I was thinking of folks I know here who demonstrate radical discipleship. They challenge me and encourage me by their example.
One expat couple have been here for a decade. They are a few years younger than Jan and me. Last night we were talking with several couples about moving, storing things while living overseas, etc. I shared that after downsizing and selling a lot of stuff, we still had things stored in three homes of friends in Calgary. Then I asked our friends: how much do you have "stored" back in Canada. They affirmed: "we have one full trunk, nothing else". Of course they own some basics here in the two bedroom house they rent. But when eventually they return to Canada, not much of it will go with them. They really physically have left "all but one trunk" to follow Jesus.
I met another expat couple just two weeks ago. Now in his 60's, the husband took early retirement in his 50's. They moved to Vietnam and live on his pension. We visited the small four room house they rent for $250 a month. They have very little furniture. In their main room we sat on the floor - there are no couches or chairs. This frees up play space for the six little children (ages 1 to 4 years) for whom they care, 24/7. Orphaned or abandoned by parents who did not want or could not afford to keep them, this couple are lovingly raising these needy children. With no formal organization, their work (with generous support from Canada and the USA) over the past decade has mushroomed to include over 200 children in 15 different shelters.
This couple have chosen to leave a comfortable middle class North American life and live at an amazingly basic level. They plan to live out their lives here, serving children who need their care and support. Why? Because they love and follow Christ and believe His love and Good News needs to be shared with Vietnamese.
Radical discipleship? Sacrificial stewardship? Truly seeking first the Kingdom of God? I am thankful for Platt's book but am even more thankful for these radical examples. What should radical discipleship mean in my life? I thank God for folks like these who exemplify such a high standard. Keeps me challenged and humbled.
As Jesus does over and over in the Gospels, Platt calls us to realign our priorities; to radically examine our stewardship; to be involved in discipleship and to deepen our concern for a world of need.
As I read the book today, I was thinking of folks I know here who demonstrate radical discipleship. They challenge me and encourage me by their example.
One expat couple have been here for a decade. They are a few years younger than Jan and me. Last night we were talking with several couples about moving, storing things while living overseas, etc. I shared that after downsizing and selling a lot of stuff, we still had things stored in three homes of friends in Calgary. Then I asked our friends: how much do you have "stored" back in Canada. They affirmed: "we have one full trunk, nothing else". Of course they own some basics here in the two bedroom house they rent. But when eventually they return to Canada, not much of it will go with them. They really physically have left "all but one trunk" to follow Jesus.
I met another expat couple just two weeks ago. Now in his 60's, the husband took early retirement in his 50's. They moved to Vietnam and live on his pension. We visited the small four room house they rent for $250 a month. They have very little furniture. In their main room we sat on the floor - there are no couches or chairs. This frees up play space for the six little children (ages 1 to 4 years) for whom they care, 24/7. Orphaned or abandoned by parents who did not want or could not afford to keep them, this couple are lovingly raising these needy children. With no formal organization, their work (with generous support from Canada and the USA) over the past decade has mushroomed to include over 200 children in 15 different shelters.
This couple have chosen to leave a comfortable middle class North American life and live at an amazingly basic level. They plan to live out their lives here, serving children who need their care and support. Why? Because they love and follow Christ and believe His love and Good News needs to be shared with Vietnamese.
Radical discipleship? Sacrificial stewardship? Truly seeking first the Kingdom of God? I am thankful for Platt's book but am even more thankful for these radical examples. What should radical discipleship mean in my life? I thank God for folks like these who exemplify such a high standard. Keeps me challenged and humbled.
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