Call to Action

"You know that video you posted?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't like it."
"Neither did I."

That's how our conversation started. Before you read any more, I'd really like for you to watch that video clip at Lyla's blog: breviloquence.com.

I watched it for the first time (and so far the only time) right before bed one night. Usually I will spend some time studying the Word before I turn my lights off, but this particular night I was unable to carry on with my routine. My heart was too burdened by this video.

That's why we didn't like this video. In a way, it's fascinating. But mostly it just made our hearts hurt.

Millions and millions of people all over the world who have no idea who Jesus Christ is. No one has ever told them.

And we're responsible. Jesus told us to spread the Good News. He came to draw all people into His Kingdom. He doesn't want any of them to live in hell forever.

But we sit here in our comfy American homes, attending our quaint American churches, doing our comfortable American thing.

We have such a cushy faith.

We have no idea. None whatsoever.

We never step out, never reach out.

Some pray. Some give money.

But very few go.

We have no idea. And we don't even care. In our culture that the entire world desires to be a part of, we have trivialized our faith. We have made Christianity fit into our lifestyles, but only so it is convenient for us. We have made it comfortable, desirable.

You know what? I don't know that there's much about the Christian life that is desirable. Heaven, yes. Everyone desires to go to heaven. But that's not the Christian life.

The Christian life is hard. It hurts. It means sticking our necks out there.

Speaking up.

Reaching out.

Giving until we have nothing left to give.

Going without.

Abandoning our comfortable lives so that another soul might possibly find eternal life.

Death.

We say we know these things. But really, we have no idea. That's why we didn't like the video. We know we are responsible. We are supposed to take action. I suspect the right answer is to buy the next plane ticket to China, Kenya, Guatemala...wherever...to proclaim the Good News to those who are dying. They are dying in this life, and they will die forever in the next.

That's not the sensible thing to do. Oh my, is it ridiculous in our American minds. To abandon job, family, money, and everything we've worked for? Makes no sense at all.

But to look at it from the eternal - it's the only thing that makes sense. Really and truly.

Lyla and I don't want to be the people who hear, are convicted, and do nothing. We've been that too many times. We haven't got it all figured out. The truth still tears at us from the inside. But we're taking action. A mere baby step in the direction God is pointing. But we are starting. Here. At home. In our community. We are entering the harvest field.

What are you going to do?