Dangerous Questions (3)

Here's a question that I hope disturbs your day and my day enough to force us to answer it. I think I heard a version of this question a few years ago (can't remember who, just don't want to steal credit...), and I wished the question stuck in my head every day.

Are you doing anything in your life that absolutely requires God's help to accomplish it?  If not, you're probably not doing anything significant.

As much as we say we want to trust God, most of us would rather have our lives unfold so neatly that God isn't required.  We'd rather have reward without risk and success without sacrifice.  We'd rather get a guarantee that it's all going to work out than have to engage in activity so risky that it actually requires trust every day.

So most of us settle. Life with limits.  A little house in the suburbs.  Better furniture.  A church that we could build on our own strength.  Just big enough, but nothing daring.  That's a good life.  Yeah, but it's boring. And it doesn't require God.

But

• if you're hanging onto a marriage you don't know how to fix...that absolutely requires God's help to heal it...you're doing something significant. 
• If you are are leading a mission so different from what others are doing that no one thinks it will work but you're convinced it will lead people to Christ...you might be onto something significant. 
• If you're living at a level of sacrifice that actually forces you to pray to God because you're not sure you've got enough left over for yourself, you're doing something real.
• If your day starts uphill against the wind every day because you're attempting to obey God, then you're doing something significant.

And you might, actually, be trusting God.

Comments

[Richard Yeomans]

Ok Carey, I think I'm starting to feel like one of those people that wanted to throw Jesus off the cliff. Judging by the lack of responses you've been getting from these questions I think I may not be alone. I also heard someone say "live your life in such a way that God has to come through for you" imagine living like that? Man I want so much to be there. I'm just wrestling with these questions. Tough stuff.

[Allen Forget]

Carey
I had to chime in here too as I noticed that the responses to these questions are really low. I think it might be because everyone is afraid to give a Dangerous Answer. Really! Don't be afraid everyone! God wants the dangerous answer as well. Only then, once it is verbalized, will it become clear to you. I have had an approach to things recently that have anything to do with expanding God's kingdom and that are especially "outside the box" in terms of the standard vision of most churches. Case in point, last year a multi denominational music group was put together to perform at a public venue in Midland. I prayed over this situation as we( my family ) had decided that we were going to go camping that weekend. Well, we did go camping on an island and we came in on the day of the concert, I played at the event, packed up all the stuff, brought it home, then headed back out to the island in the complete darkness to go camping again. NUTS? Maybe! I just could not ignore God's call to do this and I trusted that He would look after us. Now, when I know I am too busy to do something, just can't fit it in the schedule, don't know where I would find the time, I say YES! I figure if God can get me back out to the island in the complete dark why not close my eyes and let Him lead me? Why not? If it has anything to do with furthering the kingdom I'M IN!
Peace

[Anne Stirtan]

I am wondering if the posts to these questions are low due to the fact that people, like myself, are so deep into answering thses questions on a personal level that we are not yet ready to write a post......perhaps we need more time to think about thses questions. I do.