Un-Commonsense

Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? (Mark 12:24)

One of the greatest temptations we each face is to live a sensible life. The problem with a life based on commonsense is that it is based on common wisdom and will give the common results. The broad road is populated by masses of people living according to common sense. In contrast, the ways of God are uncommon, unpopular and upside down from the ways of the world. My natural desire is to live a life based on what I can see and count; a life dependent as little as possible on God’s power, provision and protection. Yet, God has said that, “without faith, it is impossible to please God.”

Our temptation is to depend on our bank account or our credit line more than we trust in God. One of the founders of a large multi-national corporation said that his goal was to die broke. To move in that direction, he gave away large sums of money. But, this attitude is unusual because most men work hard so that, no matter how long they live, they can be sure of a comfortable lifestyle. A rich man naturally sees his wealth as a high wall. In contrast, a poor man will often be rich in faith.

A successful missionary once said, “Attempt great things for God and expect great things of God.” But, the inner whisper we hear says, “Watch out! You’ll be embarrassed if you depend on God to provide.” Instead of risking that God will fail us, we end up being embarrassed by trusting what we can see and failing to truly step out in faith. Too often, my faith has only extended as far as the bank because of either debt and its demands or because of trust in some tiny amount of worldly riches. Christians are called to an exciting life of pilgrimage, ministry and radical dependence on God. But, because of our all too common ignorance of God, His Ways and His Word, we lack faith and make the mistake of rejecting uncommon sense and thus fail to experience an uncommon life personally and in the life of our churches.

Project:

• Commit to daily getting to know God better.
• Ask for His grace to attempt great things for Him.
  
• Do you feel God possibly calling you in some challenging direction?
• Evaluate where you are putting your faith.
• How can you take some small step in the direction of a more radical response to God's call?
• Take that step.