Life or Death?

Mark 8:34-37, Matthew 10:34-39, Psalm 86:1-4, Deuteronomy 30:15-20

When we are faced with the choice, life or death, I think the answer seems fairly obvious, correct? Correct. I hope. Jesus tells us that we must lose our lives for Jesus' sake in order to find true life. Talk abut a paradox! Yet, its so true (as most paradoxes are). By rejecting myself of the self-absorbed desires and concerns that try to take God's place as numero uno in my life, I can open myself to life in Christ. This is called kenosis, or surrenduring to God. It seems interesting to me that this concept is under some criticism recently. The argument is that a spirituality of surrenduring works for those who already have power and can get whatever they want. These people can surrendur their power and become a servant. Other people who have been oppressed don't have much power to relinquish, they are already surrendured.

So, in light of this experience of some people that surrenduring is alreayd what they live and its unjust, how can Jesus' words be useful or redeemed. I believe that many Christians have misunderstood surrenduring, submitting, and serving. They do not as much refer to people losing dignity and becoming apathetic to their own suffering. Keep in mind that Jesus says life is found when people first lose their lives for his sake. Its not just about being submissive to every person or power that comes along, its about being submissive to God, the only person worthy of our service. When we submit to God, it may mean standing up to others and exercising power, challenging authority, and making right the wrongs of the world. There are also times to be sumissive to other people too. When we submit fully to Christ, we take on Christ's mind and we are more aware of when its time to stand up, and when its time to serve in love. Sometimes even the act of loving service can also challenge the most powerful of authorities (see MLK, Jr. or JESUS).

God offers us both options, life and death, prosperity or destruction, and its our choice. God isn't in the business of deciding for us. He wants our love, not zombie robots! That means its not going to be easy. it means God is going to test our love and root for us to make the right decision. So surrendur to his love: its like an ocean of AWESOOOOOOME!...