Yesterday, I took a walk with a friend. Up the hill, past the farm, by the fall leaves on the trees. The day was crisp and lovely, the fellowship, rich.
We talked about many sundry things, but it didn’t take long for the subject to find its way to my upcoming move.
I shared about the details and then came the encouragement. (Thank you, friend.) When faced with a radical step of faith, it is tempting to present it to others in a neat package, but the fact of the matter is, most times, it doesn’t look that way.
For me, it looks like this: My plans are incomplete. I don’t have control over any of this. God does.
I have no bow to wrap my package of life in right now. It looks messy.
It looks like radical faith.

So here is my challenge to myself and to you, church. Why are we afraid of radical faith?
Why do we feel like we have to camouflage it?
Do we really believe in radical faith? Or do we believe in a neat little package with a bow on top?
What happens when there are no bells and whistles? When there is no bow?

Have we forgotten the stories of old?
Of how Abraham went to a land that God would show Him… no bells, no whistles, no bow.
Esther went to the king, nearly signing her own death sentence in the process… no bells, no whistles, no bow.
Moses went before Pharaoh and then led an ornery, sinful population through the wilderness… no bells, no whistles, no bow.
Daniel prayed to the God of heaven and was thrown into a lions’ den… no bells, no whistles, no bows.

We have these expectations of life. That it needs to look neat and tidy. That we should have it all together. When all that we should be expecting is for God to show up.

Radical faith does not look pretty. It looks raw, it looks dangerous, it looks crazy.
But when I look into my Savior’s face and remember how much He loves me, it doesn’t look so rough around the edges. In fact, living without radical faith begins to look awfully rough.

The Kingdom of God is upside down. If you want to gain your life, lose it. Sell everything you have to gain eternal treasure. Surrender everything to gain life to the full.

Radical faith may not have bells, whistles, or bows by our worldly standards, but its foundation is based on the Rock of Ages!
I don’t know about you, but I’m going to be that radical. Forget the bells and whistles. I don’t need a bow surrounding a neat, pretty package. Give me the Rock.

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
Matthew 10:36-39