Radical

Are you living a life that is radical? Are you living a life that is departing markedly from the usual or customary? Is your life effecting fundamental or revolutionary changes in current practices, conditions, or institutions? If not I am challanging you to live the way of Jesus that calls us to a radical way of living.

Jesus called the Twelve to him, and sent them out in pairs. He gave them authority and power to deal with the evil opposition. He sent them off with these instructions:
"Don't think you need a lot of extra equipment for this. You are the equipment. No special appeals for funds. Keep it simple.
"And no luxury inns. Get a modest place and be content there until you leave.
"If you're not welcomed, not listened to, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way."
Then they were on the road. They preached with joyful urgency that life can be radically different; right and left they sent the demons packing; they brought wellness to the sick, anointing their bodies, healing their spirits.

Mark 6:7-13

Jesus did not come to just save your soul, make sure you where comfortable, so you can just die and go to heaven. No, Jesus came with a radical and bold message that said:

"If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25 (NIV)

"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?

Matthew 16:24-26 (Message)

So are you really ready to be radical? Are you ready to embrace what happends in your life as God's way? Are you really ready to allow God to work and let go of anything you are attached too? Are you willing to understand that suffering will happen, but it can be transformative in your and others life? Are you willing to practice self sacrifice and find your true self? This is a radical way of living and requires people to give themselves fully to God without any worry, without any concern, without any attachment to what the outcome will be. It requires us to live in complete and total abandon to God. When we live this kind of life - the world is impacted. The same way that a butterfly's wings can impact the flow of the wind on the other side of the world, living a life that is radically different by following the way of Jesus can impact everyone in the world. The way Jesus is radical by definition. The way of Jesus should be impacting and effecting the current systems of our world - even the church. Let's not fall asleep and live the dangers of a half lived life!

Namaste'