I’m Still Calling The Shots
You are not your own; you were bought at a price. 1 Cor. 6:19-20.
Every Tuesday morning, I get together at a local coffee shop with a group of men from First Baptist Church. We spend about an hour and a half studying, praying for needs, challenging each other in our relationship with Christ and generally drinking too much coffee. It is one of the highlights of my week.
The other morning as we were studying Crazy Love by Francis Chan, someone asked if we knew anyone who was totally in love with God. You know, a completely sold-out, every fiber of their being doing little more than living, breathing, talking, thinking about and obeying Christ type of person.
We all got silent for a few moments as we racked our brains trying to think of someone we knew who was totally and completely sold out and in love with God. As the silence lingered, I thought it rather humorous that none of us at the meeting thought anyone at the table fit that description. Even the two pastors who were there, yours truly being one of them, weren’t named by anyone else in the group as being totally in love with Christ. Well, that was humbling!
The first person who came to my mind was Mark Buntain, who visited my Bible college in the early 80’s. A missionary to India, Mark founded Calcutta Mercy Ministries, which reaches the poorest in India through schools, a homeless shelter, massive feeding programs, orphanages and a large church. I remember hearing him teach in the chapel at college, and I was struck with his sincerity, complete humility, and absolute dedication to the work Christ called him to.
When he finished speaking, he didn’t come down front and meet the students like most every other every other speaker did, listening to their compliments and signing autographs. Instead, Mark turned around and dropped to his knees at the choir pew and engaged in prayer. That image is still burned in my mind.
I remember watching him walk alone through campus, oblivious to all the students and the beautiful scenery as he talked out loud to God, praying and praising the Lord as walked. He had one thing on his mind as he walked, and it wasn’t how he appeared to the students; it was how he appeared before the Lord God his Savior. And, if you stopped him and engaged him in conversation, he didn’t make you feel like you were interrupting him. However, you knew you were in the presence of one who spent his every waking hour walking with God.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says, “You are not your own; you were bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20). If that is true, that we are not our own, then why can I only think of a few people who actually live that way? I know I don’t. Sure, I claim Jesus is my Lord, but too often I live with myself calling the shots. How often have I prayed for guidance in ministry, only to edit where I’ll go based on the geography or size of the church without even consulting God?
This idea that I am not my own, that I was purchased by God through the death and resurrection of Jesus, has been haunting me for a week, if only because I know the price that was paid and how I repay that price by leading my own life at my own convenience.
It is time I seriously consider making God the True Lord of my entire life. Maybe then, the next time someone asks if they know anyone completely and truly in love with and sold out to God, I might just come to someone’s mind.
Thinking Out Loud 
Another story for you:
I was told of a professor at a Christian college who was so engaged in the things of God that he often would let the entire world around him fade into oblivion.
One night at a basketball game, he entered one of the doors of the court reading a book. While the game was in progress (sweat, yelling, physical movement, and lights), he walked across the court reading. Everyone stopped and just watched in reverant awe as this man made his way across the room and out.
I drive semi for a living. And I can’t tell you how many times I’ve found myself having to turn around because I was embroiled in thought regarding God. I’m not patting myself on the back by mentioning this (perhaps I am). But there is a life where nothing in this world matters any more. Such people will often find themselves locked out of the world. But every lock they encounter, they would gladly leave locked. What possible loss is there to losing the entire world? 40 years of social hatred stacked up against 40 billion years of eternity? What choice is there really?
By His Grace.
Hiway,
Thanks for that great story. I’ve always been WAY TOO conscious of myself to ever walk across a court like that. At the same time, I envy his complete dedication to his task at hand. And, like you, I’ve looked up from driving and realized I’ve gone too far! Thanks for reading my blog and taking the time to respond.
Blessings,
Jim
Great stories!
Yes, none of us are up to the task.
We are earthen vessels. But God’s specialty is using the ‘finite to contain the infinite.’
We are righteous by faith, but sinners in fact.
But don’t sweat it. Jesus knows this about us. He’s not deluded about who and what we REALLY are. He’s not put off by it. He’s decided to save us! And it is He who works in us to accomplish His purposes.
and we don’t have to be “spiritual giants” for Him to do that. He is God, after all.
Thanks.
We, who desire His smile, look for items of faith which might provoke us to the “More”. None can compare to Jesus’ status. But there are men who have left a smoldering tattoo on this world. It is good to aspire to their mark.
We are, indeed, fools saved by the Grace of God. But we walk among the same men who would gladly re-crucify the Lord. And so we trudge toward that which is best. In Christ we are already dead to them. What will it matter if they take our blood also? Right now, they strive to take away our freedom to speak His name. Soon they will come after His people with a vengence.
May the Lord have mercy on those who desire the “More”. For the Glory of the Father, and that through Christ Jesus His Son.
By His Grace.
Hal Lehman.