Radical, Chapter 9: The Radical Experiment

Have you ever attempted major life change?  How long did your intentions last?  How did you feel after reaching (or abandoning) your goal?

We are creatures of habit and comfort.  Any real improvement requires commitment and consistent application (daily for far longer than "21 days").  My cousin, who works as a physical trainer, says that January through March are the "busy" months in the fitness world.  Most people set out to reach physical goals with gusto, but often lose interest or become distracted only weeks (or days) into the process. 

As Christians, our intentionality towards spiritual growth often similarly fizzles. What would it take to achieve a Christ-honoring overhaul of our lives? In Radical, Platt makes the following claims:

"Real success is found in radical sacrifice. Ultimate satisfaction is found not in making much of ourselves but in making much of God. The purpose of our lives transcends the country the culture in which we live. Meaning is found in community, not individualism; joy is found in generosity, not materialism; and truth is found in Christ, not universalism. Ultimately, Jesus is a reward worth risking everything to know, experience, and enjoy."

We cannot assess the accuracy of such assertions without putting in the effort required to obtain the promised results. The Radical Experiment is a year-long commitment to the following goals: 

1. I will pray for the entire world.
2. I will read through the entire Word.
3. I will sacrifice my money for a specific purpose.
4. I will spend time in another context (short-term or long-term missions).
5. I will commit my life to a multiplying community.

With God's help, would you commit to a year of transformation?  What better time to start than on the day that divided history in half?

If you want to join the experiment, write out your specific intentions for each of the objectives in the comments section below.  We can hold each other accountable, and celebrate the beauty of what God can accomplish in our surrendered lives!  Here's to an amazing year. 

Radical, Chapter 8: Living When Dying Is Gain

Women generally like to be likable.  Overall, we invest a fair amount of time appealing to others on physical (hair, makeup, clothes), emotional (upbeat, encouraging, positive), and intellectual (entertaining, witty, informed) levels.

Women generally also like to feel safe.  We prefer situations in which we are financially and relationally secure.

In light of these two pursuits, passages like the following rarely become themes for women's conferences.

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted." (II Timothy 3:12)

Not exactly a top contender for next year's theme verse, right? 

But as Christians, we believe all Scripture is breathed by God (in fact, the passage above ends with the same admonition) -- for our good.  The truth does not become less real or less true if we ignore it.  As Paul's words above promise, those who live godly lives will be persecuted.  We can invert this logical statement to conclude that if we live our lives entirely free of persecution (from birth to death) we have not lived godly lives.  

Think about that for a minute. The ramifications are enormous.  

Ask yourself, "Have I ever been persecuted for my faith?"  If the answer is no, perhaps it is because I have spent too much time pursuing the approval of others and my own security rather than the Kingdom of God. 

Platt writes, "To everyone wanting a safe, untroubled, comfortable life free from danger, stay away from Jesus.  The danger in our lives will always increase in proportion to the depth of our relationship with Christ.  Maybe this is why we sit back and settle for a casual relationship with Christ and routine religion in the church."

These are heavy words.  I will leave you with only one question:
Do you want a safe, untroubled, comfortable life?