When I hear that phrase, it's like it stirs up a wind of emotions within me. What exactly does it mean? It seems in the Christian world today, it means forsaking all modes of comfort in order to pursue a life formed and lived only for Christ. And I agree, but perhaps the better question is what does this abandon look like?
Does it have to be someone who follows Mother Theresa as their model for sacrifice, living among the poor and rejected people of 3rd world countries? Or can it be the quiet woman who sacrifices career opportunities to faithfully raise her children? Or could it be the one who knows God has called her to serve in ministry at a church?
This has been something that I have wrestled with for years. Something within me really bucks against the idea that this phrase is reserved only for those who go "to the ends of the earth" to share the Gospel. Where does that leave the woman who has been called to be a mother and raise her children to follow God? Where does that leave the youth leader who is impacting teenage girls, who in turn will perhaps someday be another Mother Theresa? It is true that I respect and honor those who have chosen to forsake the comfort of the United States and live among those in other countries who are rejected by their society. Yet I also respect and honor the mother (like my Mom) who has raised all her children to be faithful and committed followers of Christ.
And perhaps the reason I buck against it so much is that I don't feel like I'm called to forsake this life in the United States to live in India with the lower class of society. I feel like I'm called to be here in the United States as a youth pastor, and when the time comes as a mother. And just because that is the purpose I feel tugging at my heart, I don't want to feel like it is a "lesser calling." God has created each of us to fulfill a unique and individual calling. Yet sometimes I wonder if the Christian world glamorizes some callings above others. I guess I want to see a balance in this realm, because each calling is just as important. And we never know what kind of ripple effect it will make when we are able to touch even just one person...in our everday lives. Learning how to live with abandon first in the comfort of the United States before we go out to the world. Learning how to live with abandon before we are charged with raising our children to follow Christ. And learning how to live with abandon through the process. This abandon is not the full goal, it is the process. And I have to believe there is grace for this process of learning to live with abandon, no matter what that may look like.
4 comments:
Good thoughts, Sarah! I really enjoyed this post - I think I am wrestling with some of these same things. The encouraging thing is... people don't have to value our calling. If we are faithful to do what the Lord has asked us to do - He will reward us in due time. Makes me think of one of the passages in scripture in Galatians 6 that I keep coming back to lately:
7Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Be encouraged! Your work is not in vain. =)
Love ya - it was SO good to see you last weekend. Let's do it again SOON!
Preach it lady!! We definitely lift up certain callings as more martyr-esque than others within western Christianity. It frustrates me to no end when people like our parents aren't recognized for the amazing lives of sacrifice that they live for Christ. They are as much heroes of the faith as William Carey, A.W. Tozer, Billy Graham, and Rick Warren. There are people all over the world that are sold out for Christ in "quiet" contexts that will never receive the recognition due them until we get to heaven. But we should definitely do our part to change this flawed paradigm within the Church culture of today!
I totally agree. It is not man's praise we look for, but only Christ's recognition. Yet I do feel frustration at the way the Christian perspective exalts one over the other. I feel like it's doing us an unjustice...the younger generations who are seeking out a way to live a life sold out to Christ. It seems like it limits God in moving through peoples' lives and I wish we taught freedom to be what God has called us to be and do what He has placed the desire to do in our hearts more often.
This seriously hit right at home. Ive thought about it a lot with me feeling like im supposed to go to Africa. Its seriously not for everyone, because if everyone went to Africa who would be here to reach out to the kids at Switch and simi valley area? And on the flip side if everyone stayed home, How would the people abroad get to know the gospel? So YES! Praise for the Mental Fruit of the Day!
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