Moving Out

People have often viewed Christianity as open space defined by boundaries of rules traditions, and doctrine. As long as we stay in the space without climbing over the walls that define Christianity, we assume that we are good Christians. And while it is true that authentic Christianity has well-defined boundaries, authentic Christians do more than compliantly fill space. Christianity is more than a random racquetball experience of bouncing off walls as we are propelled through sanctified air by often-conflicting influences that try to direct our Christian experience…

While true followers acknowledge Christ as the strategic center, most of us stop short of that. We are quite satisfied to relate to Him; accept His liberation from hell; praise Him; find comfort, solace, and joy in Him; and be intrigued by Him. But few are bent toward following Him unconditionally. (1)



The words to the song Brave, by Nichole Nordeman(2) continue this message:

The gate is wide

The road is paved in moderation
The crowd is kind and quick to pull you in
Welcome to the middle ground
You're safe and sound and
Until now it's where I've been

'Cause it's been fear that ties me down to everything
But it's been love, Your love, that cuts the strings

So long status quo
I think I just let go
You make me want to be brave
The way it always was
Is no longer good enough
You make me want to be brave (2)

Now is the time to make a move out of the ‘safe spot’ that makes us common, and move into the radical life-changing spot that can only be occupied by a life involved in radical reformation - into an unconditional follower. Others see the essence of such a life in the direction that we’re moving. Time to be brave and dive in!

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1. Following Christ, by Joseph Stowell
2. Lyrics to Brave by Nichole Nordeman
3. Photo: Posted to Flicker July 06 - by Ray (rayphua)