READ:
Mark 8:31-38
If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross
and follow Me.
Why are growing numbers of seemingly rational people turning to high-risk sports? What's the lure of back-country snowboarding, kayaking over a 30-foot waterfall, or skysurfing--doing aerial acrobatics while strapped to a graphite board and freefalling from 13,000 feet?
The author of a book on extreme sports says: "The trend in society is to eliminate risk. It's gotten to the point where there are no more swings on playgrounds. At the same time, people are saying, 'Where's Indiana Jones?' People need adventure in their lives."
More than a recent phenomenon, the need to live fully and freely seems to have its roots in our very nature. More than a century ago, the psychologist and philosopher William James wrote: "It is only by risking our persons from one hour to another that we live at all."
It shouldn't seem surprising that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ calls us to the ultimate adventure in following Him. "He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: 'If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it'" (Mark 8:34-35).
Whoa! What does it mean to let those familiar words permeate everything I do today? Could it be that satisfaction depends less on what I do than on why I do it? Is it possible that excitement is a product of my attitude more than my activities? Can I live fully for Christ where I am today instead of wishing I were somewhere else?
Jesus calls us to stake our lives on His promise. The circumstances we see as ordinary and humdrum, He sees as the setting for great exploits for Him.
Are you ready for the adventure? --DM