Jesus offended people and I’m pretty offensive myself

I need to apologize to those who felt I was attacking “Bill” in yesterday’s email when really I was trying to get the would-be “Chads” of the world to think before they default to a given lifestyle simply because it is expected of them.

I’ve been reading Jesus’ in-your-face words to potential followers lately – he didn’t leave a whole lot of negotiating room. He told people the reason they didn’t mature is that they are choked by life’s worries, riches, and pleasures. Yet as students graduate from college this month, that is exactly the kind of heavy yoke that they are being sold.

Hundreds of recruiters have been out there selling them on the American Dream which boils down to a pile of stuff and a pile of debt. And I’m wondering, who is making Jesus’ pitch for an abandoned life?

So, Friday morning I woke up and thought, “Someone needs to put Jesus’ dream of radical abandonment based on kingdom living before them.”

Inspired by the Mac/IBM commercials, I sent the email.

In the process, I offended some good people whose lives look like Bill’s out there, people who have been called to that life and deserve honor for obeying the call. This morning, eight of them emailed me, and those are just the ones that had the guts to respond.

Here’s one: “This ad was hurtful to my husband who makes an impact every day in the workplace for Our Lord. He also supports and sends missionaries. A simple quiet life can be lived right in the center of God’s will.”

So let me offer some context and an apology: my email was over-the-top and provocative, intended to arouse young people to action. And it worked – 37 young people filled out an application to be considered for the World Race.

If they engage in that ministry, they will be asked to live a life of servanthood and discomfort for a year. I promise you they will look more like Jesus as a consequence. But I want to find the balance that the email lacked.

Clearly we need Bill. Let me state, I pray that there are more kingdom-minded, sold-out people who are able to live Bill’s career track and still do what Jesus instructed his disciples to do in Luke 12:15-47. There are many precious believers who God has called as senders – they make it possible for others to go. In fact, I count myself in that number – in truth, most days I’m in an office helping others go – in many ways, I’m a “Bill,” too. And I struggle with the issues that Jesus raised as I engage in my support role. I’m comforted to know that without the Bills of the world, the Chads can’t go.

So, if I offended you, I apologize. I honor you if you have taken an active role in supporting those who have been called to ministry.

Here is what those of us who have been called to Bill’s career track need to bear in mind: Following Jesus in our society is extraordinarily difficult. Materialism and distraction are constant temptations. Young people need to learn what it means to be abandoned to Jesus before settling down. I have found that unless at some point you’ve lived a life of radical abandon and dependence on Jesus, you will struggle mightily in following him on his narrow road. After all, this is a guy who said, “Any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33) and “No servant can serve two masters: you cannot serve God and money.” (Luke 16:13)

I thank God for those of you who have wrestled through these issues and have the integrity to get up every day and work out your salvation with fear and trembling before the Lord. You are no less heroic in your own way than Chad.