Are you listening to this? Really listening?

Here, in ‘the west’, we are part of a vast consumer empire. Our culture is based on ‘want’ which does not readily value to concept of sacrifice; we avoid saving and use credit, we always want to add and never subtract, we want things now not then. We are taught never to give anything up. Perhaps it is this attitude which has capped Revival in our culture? Who knows.

“Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out.” (Rom 12:2 MSG)

Last night I was watching Grand Designs… I was watching it last night because we only have S4C at home and they love trying to hide good shows at mysterious times in their schedule!
I love this show; it enthrals me, humours me, inspires me… and all from the comfort of my sofa.

Anyway, back to ‘last nights’ show.
There was this couple. Deep down they have always loved castles and dreamed of living in one… of course it was all a dream because no-one lives in a castle. But it was still engrained in the psyche; even their wedding cake was in the shape of a castle, it even had knights jousting rather than a bride and groom!
They carried on their daily lives working hard, raising a family etc until something disrupted all of that; a castle came on the market! Not a ‘move in and enjoy the views’ castle but a ‘don’t breathe because these walls might fall down’ castle. Without any further thought they sacrificed everything for their dream; they sold their home and put their lives on hold so they could invest the time required!
Now, despite being at risk of collapse, the castle they now owned was not just a listed building it was also an ancient monument and so the red-tape and regulations that had to go through before they could even begin restoring was unbelievable. It was enough to destroy anyone’s dream, but they had sacrificed everything; they had weighed up the cost and it was all or nothing.

One day when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told them, "Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple. Anyone who won't shoulder his own cross and follow behind me can't be my disciple.
"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.' …Are you listening to this? Really listening?" (Luke 14:25-30, 34 MSG)

The question is this: What are we willing to sacrifice to receive a blessing? The blessing of knowing and following Christ.
We want God’s blessing but not the bill. I don’t mean that He charges us, but our discipleship has to be wholehearted – and that is costly. There is a line in a David Crowder song I was listening to this morning that goes “… by letting go I get a better grip.” This is movingly true.
Here Jesus warns us that unless sacrifice is an integral part of our faith we are on shaky ground. This may feel counter-cultural but this is what Revival is built upon.
“So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'… your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matt 6:31-33 NIV)

I will be on ‘Paternity Leave’ for the next week, enjoying time with my gorgeous little daughter and so I will probably not be updating this blog for a week or so. In my absence, enjoy yourselves :o) lap up God’s blessings and delight yourself in His company. And if you fancy a sneak preview of something that is going to impact the next Fusion prayer event click here :o)

-Andrew Carey