Radical means...Chapter 8

I've been going through this book alongside Marla & a few more online friends. If you want to read more, here's her web address www.marlataviano.com.

She has posed 2 questions this week, in reference to chapter 8 (Living When Dying is Gain).

1. What’s your biggest fear? 2. What are you ready to risk?

The chapter is basically challenging me -- why am I not going? so that is the frame of mind I am in as I write.

8ish years ago, when Jay & I came to the conclusion that we knew the Lord had something else for us (away from North Louisiana), some sort of ministry, the thought of the possibility of going to another country was exciting! a little scary, but mostly exciting. We were both at a place in our lives where we were ready to obey. We were ok with walking away from what Jay (we, I guess) had worked so hard for. He had made partner at a CPA firm, and was now in business with some great men. How could we walk away from that? fantastic neighbors who had become our friends? our families? our closest friends? our church?

We had to view it not as walking away from people/things we loved, but instead walking to Someone we loved more.

As it turns out, Central America (as we were hoping) was not where the Lord had us to go at that time. Instead, we moved (not quite so far way) to the Midwest. And after a rough year or so, we put roots down & now, we feel like this is home.

I have to confess, if God moves us again, specifically, to another country, there is a part of me that would be excited, but the biggest part of me would be afraid. I see it now as a bigger risk than I did then. I'm not sure why that is. I hold on to these girls so tightly. Am I willing to risk their safety, their lives, so that others can know Jesus? I cannot pretend I could do it. Amended statement: I cannot pretend i could easily do it.

pg. 161 "Jesus said to His followers, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." Jesus clearly acknowledged that following Him involves risking the safety, security, and satisfaction we have found in this world. But in the end, Jesus said, following Him leads to a radical reward this world can never offer. This begs a questions from each of us: do we believe the reward found in Jesus is worth the risk of following Him?"

any thoughts?