the unAmerican narrow road

   I've read somewhere that less than 1% of the U.S. population has run a marathon.   I'm proud to say I am part of that 1% and yet will be running my a marathon again in a couple of weeks. I'm winding down to the last days of training for the Honolulu Marathon. Although I love to run, the training is no easy task.  It takes a lot of time and preparation.  There are many early mornings I just want to fall back into the comfort of my bed but I get up sleepily and head out for a run anyway because I know my day will just not be complete if I don't.  During my long runs, it's tempting to fall back into a slower more comfortable pace or cut my miles short, but I press on because I know it builds endurance.  Training can be lonely and hard, but the reward of the accomplishment, the pure enjoyment, and knowing I'm doing something healthy for my body makes it all worth it.  Not a lot of people enter this gate.  The path is narrow indeed.  Such is the life of a true Christ follower. 


   Lately and as I look around this nation, I feel as if Christians in America have taken the broad path.
If you are reading this and already heard of Jesus or at least been introduced, then I pray that this message will not only challenge you, but encourage you.   Please know this is coming from love and not judgement.   But I must share something that's been tugging at my heart for some time actually, even long before this past election season.  The events of this past election is only the boil that came to its head of a much deeper infection that's been brewing ready to be lanced. Excuse the graphic medical analogy but consider where this is coming form.  And don't worry, not going to get all political here, arguing my case on issues how a Christian should or should've voted or how a Christian should stand any issue.  I believe that just creates more division, distracting us from the real issue at hand  and its just not me anyway.  Nope, the real  issue that has been brewing goes far deeper, just like that abscess, but unlike the issues of the election, this one has eternal consequences.  It comes from what I've observed in my churches, in my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, yes on Facebook and in this country as a whole. It's what I've seen for some time now.     That is as Christ followers, Christians in America, we (I say we, because I include myself)  have fallen  into the trap of taking Jesus and the gospel message out of the bible and changing it into a version we are comfortable with, a version that suits our self serving and superficial American  needs.   I have seen this reflected in the opinions and actions of my fellow brothers and sisters, our own material lifestyles,  tolerating other lifestyles that is not biblical and behaving in a way contrary to what we have been called by Jesus to do.  We have ignored biblical truths and tailored it to fit our American lifestyle.   
We pick and choose certain parts of the bible to make it more comfortable and so not easily offend others or to  remain popular, on good terms, and to remain politically correct. 
We have placed our hope in government, people, American promises rather than placing our trust and  the hope and promise of our  God.
American Christians have fallen into the idea that religion is merely a preference. Do you not realize that there are certain places in this world where people are being persecuted for being Christian?  Other parts of the world where people have to hide to study the bible or worship in secret.  We have fallen into a path that is convenient for us, a path that is broad and wide.

But nobody's perfect and we will never be. That is why we totally depend on God.   Christ died for us and for our sins. We are saved by Grace and not by works.  (Ephesians 2:8) When we become Christian and profess our belief in Christ as our redeemer, we have that connection with our God now, but I feel that somewhere along the way that connection gets lost.  It's as if now we can just sit back and do anything because God will forgive me anyway or at least that's what the American way would tell you.  If you work hard enough, you will get rewarded.   And surely God would not want us to be suffering right?  But what about all those other people in this world suffering for His name?  
I myself have fallen into the trap, taught that if I work hard enough, I can have the American dream.  So that is what I have done.  I have a job, beautiful place to live, loving husband and family, my health.  Now what? While we sit in our nice homes and drive to work in our nice cars, people are suffering and in need.  We truly live in excess.    Am I really living the life that God has asked me, has asked all of us to do?  God has called us for a greater purpose and that is to share the gospel with all nations, to help the poor and the needy. Jesus has called us (yes, you and me, not just the clergy or missionaries) to make disciples of all nations (not just Americans) (Matthew 28:19) 

Again, I know we are not perfect and we all have our different life journeys, own gifts, different levels of spiritual maturity. We go by our own pace. What she is being called to do is great for her, but that's just not for me.  Part of our sinful nature chooses what we want to see and to ignore what we want to ignore.  And yes, we may have our own special gifts, but we can not ignore the great commission and that is ultimately we are called to share the gospel. 

Does this sound all too radical for you?  Then you must be American.  I just finished reading the book, Radical by David Platt that has made some compelling points on this subject that I'm definitely going to continue praying and reflecting on.  I urge you to read this when you get the chance. Please allow me to share some quotes with you. 

'We desperately need to explore how much of our understanding of the gospel is American and how much is biblical' 

'We are settling for a Christianity that revolves around catering to ourselves when the central message of Christianity is actually about abandoning ourselves' 
--> hmm, very unAmerican. 


'Radical obedience to Christ is not easy...Its not comfort, not health, not wealth, and not prosperity in this world.  Radial obedience to Christ risks losing all these things. But in the end, such risk finds its reward in Christ and he is more than enough for us.' 

Jesus didn't say it would be easy as he clearly states in Matthew 7. To truly follow God is walking the narrow road and not conforming to the ways of the world.  It can be lonely and hard. Its not easy.  Its not popular. Its not politically correct and its definitely NOT American. 
He did say he would help us by sending us the Holy Spirit (Luke 12:12)  And the reward of Christ is far greater than this country, this whole world can ever provide.