Radical, Chapter 4: God's Global Purpose From The Beginning Till Today (Liz)

What have I done to serve the global church today?

Honestly, not much. The grand total of my contribution might be about ten seconds of prayer and 30 seconds of contemplation as Ethan showed me pictures from Bangladesh.  I didn't give any money.  I didn't really sacrifice any time.  I didn't change any part of my day, in any way, despite the knowledge that billions of people have never heard the Gospel and countless Christians around the world are dying for their faith every day.

The rest of my week didn't fare much better.  I mostly do what I want, when I want, without consideration of God's overarching plan for humanity.  After all, this is the American way.

The pages about a "call" to missions being a threat really struck a chord.  Many of the people I love and respect deeply treat global missions as something they are not "called" to do.  In my day to day, I often act in the same way.  Our reticence to relinquish our small plans for His glory must grieve God's heart.  He wants to give us countless riches, and we settle for trinkets and trifles.

This chapter was a difficult one.  In fact, I suspect by this point that many people who began to read this book (with conviction) have stopped before or during the reading of this chapter (out of conviction).  The message is a hard one.  American Christianity, as Platt points out, has become comfortable "assigning the obligations of Christianity to a few while keeping the privileges of Christianity for us all.  In this way we choose to send off other people to carry out the global purpose of Christianity while the rest of us sit back because we're 'just not called to that' (73)."

Those of us raised in middle class families were taught to pursue higher education and admirable careers, while stowing away treasures on earth for "someday" (our own, or our children's futures).  Is it possible that this American dream has led us away from God's plan?  As the retiree who worked abroad said, "What else am I going to do with my retirement? I just want to tell as many people about the gospel as I can." I literally got choked up as I read his words.  If only God would give me a heart so faithful and steadfast.  If only God's glory was my first, last, and dominant thought every day.  I pray that someday it would be. 

Questions:

1. Respond to the following quote:

"[Statements about being called to the United States] are smoke screens because most of us really are not very concerned about the needs right around us.  Most Christians rarely share the gospel, and most Christians' schedules are not heavily weighted to feeding the hungry, helping the sick, and strengthening the church in the neediest places in our country.  But even if we were doing these things, we would still be overlooking a foundational biblical truth when we say our hearts are for the United States.  As we have seen all over Scripture, God's heart is for the world (76)."

2. Have you viewed missions as an either/or phenomenon?  Or have you agreed with Platt that we are to have a heart for both here (America) and there (everywhere else)?

3. Have you been open to the possibility of leaving everything you consider "comfortable" to bring the Gospel to places it has not been proclaimed?  What would global, radical abandonment to Christ look like in your life?

Radical, Chapter 3: Beginning at the End of Ourselves [The Importance of Relying on God's Power] (Liz)

A self-sufficient person struggles to ask for help, exemplifying pride.  I am that person.

An insecure person attempts to control all situations with plans and back-up plans, personifying fear.  I am also that person.

The following passage was especially convicting to me:

"In direct contradiction to the American dream, God actually delights in exalting our inability.  He intentionally puts His people in situations where they come face to face with their need for Him.  In the process he powerfully demonstrates His ability to provide everything His people need in ways they could never have mustered up or imagined.  And in the end, He makes much of His own name (47)."

I live far more often by the mantra of the American dream than that mandate of Christ.  In trying to stay afloat and manage situations by my own strength, I am not only missing out on the opportunity to see what God wants to accomplish in my life but also the beauty of not having to make things happen.  Making things happen is exhausting, often destroys relationships, and nearly always undermines our peace.  His way is better, His strength is perfect, and His heart is kind. We need to trust Him.

Questions for you, sisters (quoted from the end of the chapter):

1. "Would you say that your life is marked right now by desperation for the Spirit of God?"

2. "Would you say that the church you are a part of is characterized by this sense of desperation?"

3. "Why would we ever want to settle for Christianity according to our ability or settle for church according to our resources?"

4. What are some practical ways we can combat the tendency to rely on ourselves rather than Christ?