Yesterday, I had a conversation with my Aunt Pat about dying. It’s sounds morbid but I promise it wasn’t. We often talk about my Mom and how she died of gastric cancer. ( Aunt Pat and Mom are sisters.)
We recently lost my Aunt Sue (their other sister) to lung cancer and my Uncle Bob was diagnosed with cancer last year, but it’s in remission. Cancer has affected our family, and we hate it!
People we talk to often remind us that we have a good chance of getting cancer too. We know that.
I’m sure all of us have wished for that easy death, dying in our sleep when we’re 90ish, right? But none of us know when or how we’re going to die.
I promise this is going to end on a positive note so hang with me!
Here’s what I do know. Today, I’m alive and I want to do everything I can to live a life worthy of the calling.
Ephesians 4:1 says, Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God.
As a pastor’s wife, I often hear people grumbling about things they don’t like in church. They want a certain style of music or they CAN’T worship, they want to be fed God’s word gently with no guilt. Just a pat on the back! Believe me, I’ve heard it all!
We like easy don’t we? and we don’t want a lot of change. But I don’t think Christ has called us to that kind of life.
Luke 9:23 says, Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. That is hard!
This video by Francis Chan is a perfect example of how we want to live our lives. Safe, with little effort. But as you will see, he believes Christ wants more from us. I think so too!
How can you serve Him this week? Let’s pick up our cross and follow Him!
Have a blessed Sunday!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this subject. I read this on Sunday, looked at the video and shared it on my FB on Sunday night. Yesterday, the Lord protected my parents , daughter and her boyfriend from apparent robbers that got “stuck” in my parent’s neighborhood, trying to escape. (They live at the end of a complex on a street with no outlet, last apt.) The robbers, knocked on the door. They were expecting my daughter so my mom just opened the door. Thankfully, the sheriff’s dept. was right behind them. My daughter and her boyfriend arrived just 5 mins. later. Last night I reflected back on your post from Sunday and was reminded again how short life is. All of our lives could have been so different today. I believe that God is giving us another day, another chance to get it right. Thank you Cyndi for your ministry.
So true. I attend Southland and Jon just preached an amazing sermon about death last week. Here it is if you are interested http://southlandchristian.org/series/confessions/#im-afraid-to-die
Thank you for this today Cyndi. My husband and I were not saved until age 30 and we need daily reminders, as well as kicks in the pants, that we are living our lives for Christ. Thank you for sharing! Susan
Cyndi, thanks for sharing the Francis Chan video. He is a favorite author of mine. I too needed to be reminded to take hold of the life that Christ died to give me. Love your blog!
Awesome post Cyndi. I’m sure you have many challenges being a Pastors wife. Loved the Francis Chan video!! Awesome!! Thx for sharing 🙂
So true!
God Bless!
Great reminder! Thanks for sharing. I REALLY needed this.
Thank you for reminding me…I can sit in worship and look around so joyful and grateful for the opportunity to worship God and sometimes you can see the facial and body language of some who are unhappy. II appreciate your husband for sharing his message for others to hear through the internet.
Amen, Cyndi! Amen. I’ve heard it all, too; my husband’s been a minister for 37 years. No, it’s not an easy life to be a Christian, but it’s worth it! Thank you for your testimony.
great post! i love the francis chan clip! thank you for sharing! 🙂
I have been crucified with Christ never the lest I live, Yet not I but Christ lives in me. As Christians we are all called to die to ourselves so that we might live. It’s not the death at the end of our earthly life that matters it our daily death and Christ’s life in us that does. I don’t have this down perfectly but I know it to be true. When I die to myself and allow Christ to live in me… The changes and leaving the “safety” becomes easier as it is his will and not mine that controls my heart and actions. Thank you Cyndi for reminding us to “pick up our cross!” Krista