The Choice in the Journey

I've always been a fan of adventure stories. Like so many of you, I love the thrill and the possibilities. Granted, yes, there are some similarities and recurring themes/events throughout the genre, but it is the nuances to each story that makes the adventure. One of the interesting things that usually occurs early in these stories, whether film or literature, is that the hero is given a choice. He can continue with life as usual, or he can leave the unknown behind and seek to answer the call which he has been given.

It is interesting to observe the similarities between the Heroic Journey and the call of God on the life of a disciple; one key similarity is that of the choice. I had a professor in college who was fond of saying that "Following Christ is a political decision." What he meant was this: when we choose to submit to Christ as Lord of our lives, when we claim Him as King, we are setting down our claim to the throne. The biggest governing factor in our lives is no longer partisan politics or our own opinions, but rather the voice of the King of Glory as He reveals Himself through His word by the power of the Holy Spirit. This changes everything.

In my last post, our focus was on the fact that we need to be aware of what is going on around us. However, being aware is not enough. The Church, the body of Christ, is called to make an impact on our communities. We are called to be difference makers. That's what is so incredible about the Great Commission. When Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20), He was not giving the command that we should share the Gospel simply for the sake of philosophy. This call imposes a change in the way that we think and the way that we act.

This change will carry over to the ways that we respond to needs. Will we always respond correctly? Will we use every opportunity? No; we are still markedly human. But, as Christ calls and equips us, He gives us the chance to share the Gospel, meeting both spiritual and physical needs in ways that so often depend on circumstance. Some days we will have the money to give and we can supply it. Other days, we may be the driver that pulls over to help out in a moment of distress. Most days, we may just be the friendly voice and ear that someone needs.

Whatever the circumstance, we, as followers of Christ, are called. We now have the responsibility to be difference makers: not for our own glory, not just so that others can benefit, but so that God may be glorified in our actions. But, as all do who take the journey, we must now make a choice.

Bibliography

"The Hero's Journey." TV Tropes. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2014.

New American Standard Bible. La Habra, CA: Lockman Foundation, 1977. Kindle.