...and the book Radical has provided me exactly that. Let me explain. This summer our Monday night high school group has been studying Radical, written by David Platt. It has rocked my world and has begun answering the questions from my last post in ways I didn't see coming. Last night our small group took a look at the great commission -- something we study all the time in churches. Platt's point on the commission is that it's not an option, it's a command. Jesus demands that we "Go and make disciples of all nations." Not just your nation. Not just the nations that you're comfortable being in. We, the body of Christ, are to go to ALL nations. The peaceful and war-torn, the just and the corrupt, the rich and the poor. All. And as much as I can point to another part of that body and say that Jesus is commanding them to go to the war-torn, corrupt and poor, He's given me a hearty reminder and conviction that that command is for me. His plan of salvation for those in places that have not received the good news is through me (and the rest of His body). And while God never falls short, I do.
How has this begun answering my last post's doubts and questions? Let me explain. God has provided for all people. He has provided a way to meet their spiritual, as well as their physical, needs. The truth is that there is more than enough food, wealth and provisions to provide for all of God's creatures on this earth. He has made sure of it, and looking at how much we have in the US that we store up, hoard and waste, it is blatantly apparent that the resources are there. It's not God who has neglected His people. It's us, in our sin, who are failing to allocate God's provisions as He wills and desires. It's not His love that fails; it's mine, it's yours, it's ours. The saying "To whom much is given, much is required" has biblical roots and eternal truth engrained in its core. We are blessed with what we need, and are asked by God to take only that and then to do what it takes to get the rest to those who are in need of those very same things. The tragic thing is that our world will never be that idealic place where all look out for one another -- not this side of heaven at least. But the beautiful thing that I am clinging to today, especially considering the tragedy occuring in Somalia and so many other places in our world today, is that, as Elisabeth Elliot said, "God's story never ends with 'ashes'." If only I could see how I can give my all to putting an end to the ashes on this earth, and from there to have the selfless, bleeding heart willing to carry that out. That is the hard part.
2 comments:
You never cease to amazing me. Love this post so much. And love you too.
My favorite part: It's not God who has neglected His people. It's us, in our sin, who are failing to allocate God's provisions as He wills and desires. It's not His love that fails, it's mine, it's yours, it's ours. The saying "To whom much is given, much is required" has biblical roots and eternal truth engrained in its core.
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