By Stacey
In class the other day a friend was sharing that she visited a country in Africa in order to determine if she could serve there long term. After a few days of observing the living conditions (dirt floors, rampant illness, unsanitary food preparation), she went back to her room and determined that she could not live there. She cried out to God and said that she could not do it. His response was:
“Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32
In coming to the realization that the Lord had promised to give her the Kingdom for all eternity, she is now in French school with us and plans to go back to that very country. She does not have to grasp tightly to current pleasures because she knows that she will be given the Kingdom of God later.
Another example of “craziness” is that at the school we attend there are several doctors who are headed to Africa help people with their medical needs. They could be making lots of money in the States, but instead, they have walked away from it all and are going to live among the poor. What’s more, they all have very prestigious degrees and now they are humbling themselves and talking like 2 year-olds as they struggle to learn French. The response of most people here in France and in the States? “They’re crazy.”
But is it crazy to invest? Is delayed gratification crazy? Is it foolish to give up pleasures now because greater pleasures are just around the corner? Or is it instead foolish to live in the moment and not think at all about F-O-R-E-V-E-R? Is it more foolish to let the reality seeing Jesus face-to-face drive you to steward your life in service to him or is it more foolish to live like that day will never come?
I do not know if anybody communicates this better then Francis Chan.
“We make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”
2 Corinthians 5:9-10
