A Year of Living Dangerously

The title is not an intentional reference to the Mel Gibson movie of the same name.  It's just the inspirational thought that is behind today's post.  This reminds me of a scene from one of my favorite sci-fi movies, Avatar.  The reluctant hero has been banished by the people he is trying to protect.  But he has to warn them about a worse disaster about to take place.  So he says,  

"Sometimes your life boils down to one insane move."  

 He then proceeds to do something that hasn't been done in generations, and it works.  He knew what he had to do and he took whatever risk he needed to make it happen.

As followers of Jesus we know what we have to do.  Don't buy into the hokum that you need to spend years and years trying to figure out who you are, what you do, and how that fits into what Jesus has for you.  There is no secret method or three point strategy.  We know what he expects of us.  What he commanded us to do.

Let us do it.

Let your life boil down to one insane move for Jesus.  Step out of your comfort zone and do something.

I'm going to use an example from my life.  This is in no way meant to be a pat on my own back.  Because this example is not about me.  It's about Jesus.

Near the beginning of December (2011) I was asked if I would consider moving into a Recovery House.  In short it's a house that is a step out from a half-way house.  It's a house for men who are recovering alcoholics and drug addicts.  My involvement would be as house manager.  Facilitating the drug tests, reconciling disagreements in the house, scheduling chore lists, enforcing the house rules, finding candidates to live there and helping the guys in ways that I can.  Also to be a Christian influence on the house and to be available for discipleship if desired.

My first thought was, "Yes!"  Then I thought about my stuff.  Would it be safe?  Would it get stolen?  What about my safety?  What if?  What about?  But I felt God letting me know this was what he wanted.  You see I had been offered a chance to live in the house a few months earlier, not as the manager, but the Christian influence etc.  I just couldn't afford rent at the time.  This time God removed the only obstacle that I had.  Rent not being an issue I had no excuses good or bad for turning this down.  It was too God of a thing to ignore.

So, January 2nd I moved in.  It has not been easy.  Tensions flared with certain people before I moved in making the weeks leading up to the move (Christmas too) miserable by some standards.  Living here is not a walk in the park either.  Out of respect for the men and their privacy I will obviously not go into details.  If you know an addict or former addict you can imagine some of it.

These are guys who know they made bad choices (I wonder if the average Christian can admit that?)  Not mistakes.  Mistakes are not repeated choices to do harmful things.  A mistake is taking a left when you should have gone right.  Dropping acid is not a mistake when you meant to drop off the mail.  How many of us who say we follow Christ will admit that our sins are not mistakes but choices we make?

These men are men who want to move on with their lives.  They want to go to college, get a GED, make an honest wage...have a healthy life.  They just have a different set of baggage than someone who isn't an addict.  Sometimes this baggage lands in my life.  Everyday something does.  Sometimes it's not a huge issue.  Other times it grinds my life to a halt.

I do not regret moving in though.  Cause for some reason I've yet to figure out, God led me here.  God can work through anyone.  But when you listen to him and let him use you, he will use the unique things that make you who you are.  There is something here for me to do.  More importantly, there is something God will do through me.

God has also given me a passion for drawing and storytelling.  I've been working on various things for years.  Never actually putting my stuff out there.  Oh, I'll share it with anyone who wants to see it, but I haven't taken that leap to try and publish it yet.  Well, until yesterday I had not.  I made my first contact with the Baltimore Comic-Con.  My hope is to get an artist table at the convention this September.  Some of my work will be just fun creative stuff.  Others will have Jesus in mind and message.  But it's time to stop sitting on this stuff and use it for God.

Ok enough about me.

Like Jake in Avatar there is a Bible story about a guy who made an insane move to move toward Jesus.  In the book of Mathew (14:22-34) Jesus walks on water.  Yeah.  He walks across a lake toward the disciples who were in a boat on rough waters.  Peter sees him (man I love Peter) and says, "Jesus, if it's you, tell me to come to you!"  So Jesus says, "Come!"  Peter jumps out of the boat.  Insane.  Dangerous.  And starts walking toward Jesus.  Then he sees the waves, and realizes, I can't walk on water!

Like me in this house.  I feel like I'm drowning.  But the story doesn't end here.

Peter cries out, "Lord save me!"  Jesus stretches out his hand and says, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"  He didn't let Peter drown.  He saved him.  And in that moment Peter was in the most secure place in all of creation.   The arms of Jesus.

So what is my point you ask?  After rambling on about my living situation and drawing at a comic book convention, what does that have to do with God, disciplship, or anything?  I'm glad you asked.

Because did not give us a spirit of fear or weakness.  We are to be as wise as serpents and gentle as lambs.  We are to go out among the wolves.  We are to be strong and courageous.  To keep the faith and finish the race.  We are to live dangerously.  Not recklessly.

There is a difference.  Driving a car is dangerous.  Anytime.  Driving a car drunk is reckless.  Too severe?  Texting and driving is reckless.  Flying is dangerous.  Flying with illegal cargo is reckless.  You get the picture?

Living a life following Christ is dangerous.  Look at Paul.  Peter.  Stephen.  They were all executed for their commitment to Jesus.  Are you willing to be cold?  Tired?  Hungry?  Vulnerable?

Step out of the boat and make one insane move.  I challenge you to do it day after day for a year.  And look back next February and see how God has changed you.  Step out of the comfort zone of your church, small group, home church, club or organization.  Peter and the disciples were in the boat together.  Fellow "believers."  Peter had to get out of the boat to go to Jesus.

Jesus is waiting for all of us.  It's one thing to believe he is God's son.  It's another thing entirely to run to him with all you have.  I'll be here to encourage you along.  Do the same for me.  Or the beliver beside you.  Or the one you meet down the street or at breakfast.  Let's spur each other on toward our Saviour and get others to run with us...to Jesus.

grace, peace + hope
-Bear