I feel inspired when I pick up a book and read about men and women who laid down their lives for the sake of the gospel.
People, real people, who have found perfect peace in God at the expense of the highest price they could pay – their lives.
Then I lay down the martyr stories book and glance at the schoolbook waiting patiently beside me on the bed.
I sigh lightly and look in the other direction, where my eyes begrudgingly acknowledge the growing metamorphosis of clothes on my “junk chair.”
I close my eyes in projected pain from the reminder, and there find a darkness easily filled with a daydream of how I’m suddenly sitting in a church and being asked a question.
“Are you a believer in Christ?”
“Wha-at?” I stutter, looking in a snarling soldier’s eyes.
He repeats the harsh question, and I stand up and say strongly, “Yes.”
Others around me are inspired by my confidence and bravery as I -….
I open my eyes and their gaze falls once again on the annoying schoolbook.
Martyrdom doesn’t always mean dying for the cause of Christ.
What’s the lowest price you’re willing to pay?
How many times will you die for Christ….by willingly going all the way downstairs and up again to get a water for your mom?
I run into life or death choices every day. All day, in fact.
The truth is that “life” (i.e., not killing my comfort bubble) is actually death.
And, by process of elimination, death is actually life.
In case that wasn’t confusing enough, consider this again: whenever you choose death to your old self, you’re choosing to give life to Christ’s cause.
One of my favorite quotes, like ever, is from Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:31: “I die daily.”
If that’s not martyrdom, I don’t know what is.
One day you and I may be given the opportunity to die in service to our King. But we don’t know when that may or may not happen, and in the meantime we may be shirking our daily deaths.
I’ve read that the character defining points in our day determine exactly what our priorities are.
It may be as simple as refusing to watch an offensive movie, or as difficult as coming clean about a transgression to someone in your workplace.
How low can you go, as they say?
Personally, I want to develop a sacrificial attitude that is so sensitive to God’s will that I’m just as willing to refuse Mac ‘n’ Cheese if it offends God, as I am to get tortured for Christ.
I want to be looking for ways to die!
Why?
Because that’s when I find life.
“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it” (Matthew 10:39).
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Great article, Jewel! Thank you!
Thanks for the challenge!
YES! Jesus deserves our lives — not just the way we die, but every decision up til then. We’re on a mission that literally can’t fail. Thank you so much for this!
You’re so welcome, thank you for the encouraging feedback! 🙂
This is a splendid article Jewel. Thank you for sharing it with us!
Great article!
YES! Jesus deserves our lives — not just the way we die, but every decision up til then. We’re on a mission that literally can’t fail. Thank you so much for this!
Great post! Never thought about it this way!
I feel like the Lord wanted me to read this today. Thanks, Jewel! (Lovely name, by the way:)
Thank you Mallory, I appreciate the support! I’m so glad it encouraged you.
Wow, this is so very good! Die daily. Love it.
Very good post! Really makes you think!
Great post! I’ve been there and done that before.
Thank you for this wonderful post! It was very applicable!
This is great. Reminded me of this quote by Spurgeon and web comic by Adam4d.
I love this, thanks for sharing!
What a great reminder that even the smallest things count. Makes me think of Matthew 10:42 when Jesus says that even the person who gives someone a cup of cold water won’t lose his reward. Sometimes I have the hardest time staying faithful in the every-day stuff, so thanks for this post!
That reminds me of when the angel rebuked Sarah for scoffing his prophecy in her heart; it was only a thought, but she was held accountable for it. If even our thoughts are judged by God, surely every decision in our day is as well. Thank you for the encouragement!
Wow, this is excellent. So often I do want to go do the ‘big’ ‘important’ things for God, and willing to suffer huge hardships for Him, but aren’t willing to do the little things and fight the little battles. Thank you for this reminder!
This is really good. Our whole life is to be one of death. We are to pick up our cross daily. It is a daily act. I really need to remember this.