Do you dare?

This past Sunday, I was feeling really stuck…one of the things that led to the discomfort I talked about in my last post. See, I feel like I sort of live in a bubble, with this sort of closed off view of the world. I’m only 19 and there is so much in this world that I haven’t experienced, so there was a part of me that just wanted to take matters in to my own hands. So, you can imagine the excitement I felt when my fortune cookie from Panda Express said “Be daring. Try something different.” I took this as a sign that maybe I should branch out, maybe I should take matters into my own hands and just take chances. Haha, I thought of the saying in the Magic School Bus “Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!” So, I was restless for achieving my own desires (which might I add were completely of this world, and for my own personal gain). Ironically, we talked about patience at Ember this week, just what my restless heart needed to hear. So this changed my interpretation of my fortune, and here’s how…

Christianity is based on a huge massive dare. I’m not talking about just accepting Christ as your Savior. Yes that is a huge leap of faith giving yourself to God, but I’m talking about what happens after…I’m talking about the sanctification, the living out of God’s call on your life to live like Jesus. Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount demonstrates this. Basically, what Jesus says in Matthew 5 is one big DARE.

About murder he says 21 "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, [a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister [b] will be subject to judgment.” About adultery he says, 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' [d] 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” He holds us to a higher standard when he says 33 "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' 34 But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35 or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.” And when he says, 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' [g] 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.” And finally, 43 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor [h] and hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Basically, Jesus recognizes what has been taught, and He dares us to go one step further to live that much more like Christ. He has set up a challenge, and it is our decision to take that and live a new way. There should be a warnings sign with this though…with a big YOU WILL FAIL written on it. Because we are human, we are sinners and we will fail, but who says we can’t try? Who says we can’t be daring? Why not try to be more like Christ? After all, as His followers, that’s the way we are called to live right?

So I want to dare to live like this. I want to dare to be patient, I want to dare to love my enemies, I want to step up to the challenge and (dare I say it) dare to be different. I dare you to try too. Do you dare?