Glamorous because you could win souls (as if it were some sort of game- wins and losses), be highly respected, God would bless you (we mean materially of course. You give away money, and He'll give you lots more... mostly for your bigger house and nicer car.) On top of all this, there would be those world travels full of inspiring stories of praying for people, "winning" more souls, and adventurous adventures.
This past year or two has completely gone against those ideas, but I was reminded of it the other day. Dad had finished fixing up a car to resell. It was a supposed to be mine at one point, but in a roundabout sort of way, it hadn't worked out. Being a kind and helpful daughter, I offered to, you know, test drive it around to make sure it was running okay and everything. So on my weekends home, I would drive it to church, to meet friends, or just because I could:]
Unfortunately, the more I drove it, the more discontent I became with "George," my greenish Honda that's older than me. I found myself whining to God... "Um, hey God? You see my ugly little car, right? I know it works great and all, but I really like this one better. So if you could just, uh, somehow make my car quit working? You know the back window is taped, and my car stereo is out, and well... It's just not how I pictured the "good gifts you give to your children."
Driving back home, I am convicted of course.
I am reminded of my previous belief- the glamorous Christian life I was expecting.
Instead of world travels, "winning souls," and a nice car, I am a small town teacher with an old car and if your comparing it to world travels, rather ordinary sort of adventures.
I am not living the glamorous Christian life in any sort of way.
Instead, I am learning to live in the fulfilled Christian life.
The one that falls exhausted into bed each night, and gets up early the next day because devotions is not just a habit, but a need.
The one where denying yourself and following Him is hard and freeing.
The one in which God works in spite of you.
The one where being a servant is the highest, hardest calling one can imagine.
The choice has been given: A "glamorous" life or a fulfilled life.
Glamorous is easy to live, but fulfilled is closer to the heart of Who Christ is.
It really depends on what you value more.
"Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." -Matthew 10:39
Oh yes. And the green Honda named George? He's still running. And God is still good.
