If you follow Jesus, your attitude toward risk is different than those around you. Jesus said “let the dead bury the dead.” Braveheart paraphrased it, “All men live, but how many truly live?” As citizens of the kingdom of God, we look at things from another vantage point. Because our value system is different, we can say “for me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”Various racers were held at gunpoint in different areas of the hostel as several men demanded all of their belongings. In one of the areas, a female racer was forced to stand up as a man held a gun to her head as he yelled at her. “If you don’t have a cell phone, I will kill you.”
After a pause she looked at him and courageously said something to the effect of “I don’t have one, so go ahead and kill me.” She realized, “I’m already dead.”
Her statement would have confused the heck out of me a few years ago. What does she mean, “I’m already dead.” But now I understand more than ever. To live a life like Christ, I have to be dead to myself. Practically, that means this…In order to get into Ukrainian orphanages all foreigners need to go through an extensive and intense physical that is disturbing to most and horrifying to others. But beyond that physical is a 3-year old child who sits in a metal crib all day, with only one diaper for the day and no one to hold him.
It means that when someone’s face is falling off of them because of leprosy, you throw your arms around them and look them straight in the eye. It means sitting on the floor and putting some elbow grease into an African woman’s pedicure-despite the fact that you can see worms squirming under her skin.
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Seth Barnes
I'm motivated to join God in his global reclamation project. He's on the move, setting his sons and daughters free from their places of captivity. And he's partnering with those of us who have been freed to go and free others.
I’m happy to see Sarah’s family responding that way. It’s a sure-fire smack to the devil’s face!
It still blows my mind the things we racers are privileged to be a part of. God never ceases to amaze me through the lives and stories of others.
Slam Dunk Seth!
I was wondering if Sarah’s family responded in this way because they were motivated in some way or another by the love and care shown by many… within and without. Lives lived with assurance and hope can face great danger because they are strongly persuaded that the end is not The End. May their sacrifice yield beyond their wildest dreams and prayers, in Jesus Name!! Amen!!
I am Sarah’s cousin and am not suprised by this reaction at all! For those of you that knew Sarah and her devotion to the Lord also know her family carries the same devotion. They are strong people-not that this hasnt’t torn them down…but strong! (S is for Sarah!) Rachel has Sarah’s same determination and devotion and will continue on with what Sarah was able to take a short part of. We will be praying for your organization as you continue to change the world one kid at a time!!
Jessica
Brings to mind a line from Narnia when the kids are inquiring about Aslan. “Is he safe?” they ask. The response: “No, but he is good.”
To follow Jesus is always a risk, but a risk that I am unwilling NOT to take…