A "Radical" New Year

We have made it to another year. What will happen this year? How different will we be at the beginning of next year compared to right now? How will we change? How are we going to advance the Kingdom? There are so many questions that run through my mind as I approach this New Year. They are not nagging questions, but ones that make me think, and definitely lead me into prayer. There are so many options and paths to take.

As I look at this New Year I have been brought into it with a really good message. Last week I had the privilege to read a book called “Radical” by David Platt, since I have had time in Iowa to relax with my roommates. I am not sure the effect the book will have on my life, but I think the words in the book are revolutional. I do not mean revolutional in the means that they are new, and are breaking new ground, because actually the words in the book are thousands of years old, because they are really Jesus’ words. They are revolutional because if they are actually taken to heart then things will change, and that is what I am trying to do. I am trying to change. I want to become more like Jesus. I want the sin in my life to decrease, and my devotion to God and His kingdom to increase, and I think the book leads me in that direction.

Simply stated the book challenges all Christians in America to rise above the American dream, which in many cases is keeping us from the beauty of Christianity, which I know is a powerful and controversial statement. For so many the American dream has been what we were taught to live and strive for, so when we say that we are to break free from it well for many of us that is to give up life as we know it, because that is what our life has been, striving for the American dream. It is centered on us and our work ethic. It is about how much we can acquire, the statuses we can achieve, and getting what we want if we work hard enough.

The problem is that centers on us, and even when we bring God into this picture He only becomes a means to an end rather than the end itself. What really becomes god is the American dream, and thus an idol. You see the beauty of Christianity is that we aren’t suppose to do it on our own with our own strength and effort. We are suppose to strive by the power of God, and we are not suppose to strive for some illusive prize. We are suppose to strive for Him. He is the end. The end is not some picture of the perfect life that will rust and be eaten by the moths.

Now the beauty in all of this is that God wants us to make it to Him, so instead of us just working to get to the prize our Prize is also working to get to us. In fact, the Prize has done most of the work, because that is how much He wants us to get to Him. That is the beauty of Christianity. This is what makes the American dream so antithetical to God’s plan. The American dream is soaked in humanism, and puts all the pressure on us, but God’s plan is soaked in Him, and He is more than able to handle the weight. He then gives Himself to us as a gift, and all we have to do is receive. However, to receive Him we have to give the American dream up, and stop striving.

This is hard for two reasons. The first reason is that we have to give up our own life for the sake of receiving God. Whatever we pictured as the American dream we have to say is not as good as getting God, and then let it go because of God’s insurmountable worth. For some that literally means giving up an entire lifetime and considering it lost. Now, that takes a lot of humility and at times repentance. It is hard to say that all that I have been striving for, for so long is worthless because it is not the life that God wants for me.

This is why the words of Jesus to the rich, young ruler are so relevant to us today. God is calling us to a completely different life style that is not about how much we can store up, but about how much we can receive and pour out. It is a huge shift, and for many that is a radical lifestyle. It is radical for generosity and a servant attitude to take over, but that is the fruit and evidence of living in the Kingdom. It is what Jesus’ love motivates us to do, because our only desire becomes to serve and exemplify Him here on earth. This is why we must be freed from the American dream, because it literally is the exact opposite of the life Jesus has designed for us, and empower us to do. We are meant to give and glorify him, but inherently the American dream calls us to acquire and glorify ourselves, but God’s vision for our lives is much bigger than our selves. Praise God!

The other reason that it is hard is that it takes complete faith or trust in a society that makes it hard to trust in anything. And we are living in a system that is all about what you can do, not someone else.

However, Jesus says, “All you need to do is have faith in me and love me. I have made the way for you, and I am preparing a room for you. All you need to do is receive. I will give you all that you need if ask in My name. This is not about you. It is about me and my power. It is about what I can do, and what I can do through you. All you need to do is trust in me and follow me and what I tell you. I will do the heavy lifting.”

Most people just cannot accept this. It sound foolish and/or to good to be true, and it is just scary to lose control in a world that puts all the pressure on you. But when we know our God it makes complete sense, and when we know His love, it casts out all fear. It just takes faith and relationship, and this is where the power of God lies. His power lies in a relationship that gives you the trust and ability to stop striving and to put anything in His hands. This takes away the burdens. It makes the yoke easy, and finally grants us peace. However, it is a shift in paradigm and mindset, which can be tough. It will cause us to kill our pride, and that can hurt. However, if we commit to this it is beautiful, and more than worth the price. It is like a field with a treasure that when you walk upon it you sell everything to by the land and obtain the treasure, because it far surpasses anything you have had up to that point.

This is where I hope my 2011 takes me. I hope this year I break completely free from the American dream into something greater. I want to live in the beauty of Christianity. I want to strive for God, and have Him strive for me, and then we can gloriously run into each other arms embraced in an intimate love relationship. I want to once and for all take the weight of the world off of my shoulders, so that God can be God again, and I can do what He created me for. I pray that this relationship will spur me to do things I have only dreamed before. I want to live in radical abandonment to my own self. I want to give away more than I could imagine. I want to sacrifice for the sake of others. I want to lose my life, my dream, so that I can gain God, and then He can resurrect it in glory and power. This year I want it to be clear which kingdom I serve. No more sitting on the fence. I want to be diligent for God, and completely diligent in seeking Him in everything I do and face. This is the path I am choosing, and will need help and your prayers to stay on, so please join me in being “radical.”

I want to end by thanking David Platt for his book, and taking the time to write it. I know the words he wrote will truly be revolutional in my life, and that God will produce great fruit from them.

Also, thank you God. I love you Dad. Thank You for sending Jesus to bring me to You. May my 2011 glorify You and advance Your Kingdom. Sorry, for when I have fallen short, but thank You for forgiveness and the power to learn and grow from those mistakes that You have already forgotten. You are my Dad, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, my Creator and I could not be happier. Serving and following in love with You was the best decision I have made and the greatest gift I could receive. All praise to You Dad!

For all who read this blog, God bless you! And I pray that you will be empowered to live a “radical” 2011. The world needs it. In fact, it is desperate for it, but then so are you, because it is the life God has destined for you, and it is the best life you could imagine. Therefore, settle for nothing less. You won’t be disappointed. I ask for grace and peace for you, beyond what you could dream and comprehend. In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

Also, I feel I have not really talked much about myself, my heart, or my dreams, which I feel defeats the purpose of what this blog is suppose to do, which is keep you informed on how and what I am doing. So, I want to give you a better like into all of that. My next blog will hopefully give you a better picture of where I am at, and what I am dreaming and visioning of. I am trying to think of a good way to put all that into one blog, but it will be posted later this week. I love you guys, and thank you for your prayers and support. They literally keep me going, as I purse Christ and His kingdom!