"We are so utterly ordinary, so commonplace, while we profess to know a Power the Twentieth Century does not reckon with. But we are 'harmless', and therefore unharmed. We arespiritual pacifists, non-militants, conscientious objectors in this battle-to-the-death with principalities and powers in high places. Meekness must be had for contact with men, but brass, outspoken boldness is required to take part in the comradeship of the Cross. We are 'sideliners'---coaching and criticizing the real wrestlers while content to sit by and leave the enemies of God unchallenged. The world cannot hate us, we are too much like its own. Oh that God would make us dangerous!"
--Jim Elliot
O God, the same is true of us...we stay on the sidelines---close enough to feel like we are doing something, but far enough away so we won't get dirty. We talk about spiritual things, read all the "how to books", live our spiritual lives through others as we look at You through the eyes of people like Hudson Taylor, Jim Elliot, Mary Slessor, and Jonathan Edwards, and we plan on becoming serious about our faith someday when we have more time. I know we are starved spiritually. We know this life is but a vapor, but we cling to it fiercely wishing to linger in the Shadow lands. We are paralyzed by fear, overwhelmed by stress, consumed with comfort, enamored by things, and weary when it comes to spiritual things. So God, I pray that you would work in our midst for we are helpless and stuck in our sin. Root us from the comfortable and make us live dangerous lives for the sake of Your name. May we stop knowing You just through the lives of other and actually know You ourselves through Your Word. Work, O God, in our apathetic hearts.
I like that quote, SG! Thanks for sharing it, and keep up the good work on your blog!
ReplyDelete