Living with Abandon

Sunday Pastor Jeff talked about living with Abandon.  Abandon.  Merriam Webster describes the verb of abandon as to give up to the control or influence of another person or agent; to give oneself (over) unrestrainedly.  This definition brings to mind the following things:  

• To let go
• To forget that people are watching
• To live life fully according to my faith in God
  

Before you go and pass judgment on me or think that I'm too crazy with these ideas, try these scenarios on for size.  

• At the local knitting bee you let your cardigan drop carelessly to the floor, wave your yarn wildly over head, and chant "CA-BLE-NEED-LE! CA-BLE NEED-LE!"  
• At your child's school performance you run to the front of the auditorium with the video camera, knocking other parents out of the way to film your child while screaming "No one have ever been that good of a rock before!  You're gonna be a star!  Mama loves you, baby!!!"  
• On the front lines of the 0400 crowd at the after Thanksgiving sale you take your buggy (yes, buggy!) and plow over shoppers in front of you to get the very last $99.99 item.  

Those are all instances of living with abandon.  Absurd, maybe, but Abandon.  Jesus wants nothing less than having us live with Abandon for Him.  He did likewise for us.  He died a horrible death for our sins; He was perfection in the form of broken humanity, hanging on a cross, in humility, to save us.  He deserves at the minimum is for me to live each day for Him with Abandon and let the world see.  

Are You Radical?

Radical hope, faith, love, joy.  When I first heard about the campaign and we talked about getting back to the roots of Christianity, I though that the items in the list of "radical elements" were things that I had licked.  This campaign was going to be for someone else and I was going to coast through this six weeks. 

Famous last words (well, famous last thoughts). 

This six weeks has proved to be grueling for me.  The struggles that I have faced as I let my spiritual guard down have been overwhelming at times.  The battle has raged during fall campaign for us as individuals and as a congregation.  Satan has been playing hardball and he's hit us low and dirty.  Personally, I have been angry, confused, frustrated, lost, doubting, and a list of other emotions that are all negative.  I have hardly felt joy or hope or love.  I have felt much more like I was manifesting acts of the flesh (anger, rage, hate, discord, selfish ambition) rather than the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:19-26). 

As we draw to a close of this campaign I am grateful for God's goodness and His never failing love.  I am so thankful that even as I have not proven myself a mighty warrior during this time that He has and is lovingly showing me where my weaknesses are, where I must rely more on Him, and how to be better prepared for the next battle I face. 

You see, His mercies are new every morning.  His faithfulness is great.  As Jeremiah said, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore,  I will hope in Him!" (Lamentations 3:22-24)  Because of God's goodness, I can say with confidence,  "I am radical".  I hope you are, too. 

I'm Already Radical, Right?

We have officially begun our Fall Campaign, Radicalis, and it's going to be great.  Actually, it already is great; the kick off last week about our radical vision and future followed by this week's sermon plus God's amazing grace have set the scene for serious momentum.

I have to tell you, however, that I kind of thought I was already radical.  I go to church, right, even when other people don't?  I do things that people don't know about (inside or outside of church, location is irrelevant).  I hold my tongue sometimes when I really want to scream because I feel like injustice is getting the upper hand.  I'll spare you more of my "agony" but know that my list of sacrifices (perceived or otherwise) is lengthy. (By the way at times, do you feel that way or am I alone on this?)

This morning, Pastor Jeff preached on gratitude and it got my attention.  I walked in the door in a foul mood (I was so grumpy that I scared myself) and a large part of the reason was my attitude.   A couple of things didn't go as I expected them to so I got frustrated.  The trifecta of attitude, God's message to me (through the sermon), and His grace were lethal for my bad disposition.  I had but two choices:  run screaming out of the sanctuary or face the fact that I might not be as radical as I had decided that I am.

Ouch.

I write this blog to you with a new found (and well-earned, may I add) humbleness.  I realize that gratitude in all things (not to be confused with gratitude for all things) is what God desires from me.  As Pastor Jeff reminded me on Sunday, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. (I Thessalonians 5:18)

I began practicing radical gratitude as quickly as I could after the sermon.  I plan to practice it tomorrow, and the next day, and the next, and well, you get the picture.  Join me in being radical through gratitude that the world finds a little crazy.  I bet you'll find, like me, that it will set you free!