After the tragic event of a few weeks ago, the public assassination of Charlie Kirk, and the flow of information thereafter about his work, his life, but most importantly, his emphasis first-and-foremost on his Lord and Savior, I have been searching for meaning in all of this. Especially, for me, personally.
At my ripe old age, it is shocking to me when such a young person is taken out of this world – even when I recognize his heavenly home is a comfort. But I know I trust God – yet I still ask ‘why him’? So young? And here I am – what are you teaching me through this?
Of course, Henry Blackaby to the rescue (his daily devotional Experiencing God Day by Day is my staple). The scripture surprised me a bit because I have always thought of this one as describing how we were to treat our bodies:
Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
But Blackaby draws out of this that God takes great pleasure in worthy sacrifices. He reminds us how God gave explicit instructions for people giving their offerings – they should be without blemish and the best that people could give. Of course, only the death of His perfect Son was a worthy enough offering to atone for the sins of mankind, my sins included.
What he pulls out of the Romans scripture is that God asks us to lay down our lives on His altar as a living sacrifice. And he adds –just as it was in the Old Testament, our sacrifice, once offered, cannot be reclaimed.
We belong entirely to Him. No halfway stuff here. It must be wholehearted. And if we are a Christian, we are not our own. I have to think long and hard about what that means in my life. And the death of Charlie Kirk with what I have learned of his daily request of the Lord to use him (I believe his words were “send me”) makes me focus on what is my daily message to the Lord.
Unfortunately, I am remembering lots of ‘requests’ rather than ‘offerings’. Blackaby’s words were “rather than dying, however, God asks you to live for Him as a living sacrifice. Every day, you are to offer your life to Him for His service.” That kind of kicks out doing it in my spare time or when I have leftover resources – ugh. This is not easy.
Yes, I have heard that joke about the problem with us being “living sacrifices” –we keep crawling off the altar. Not so funny when it’s true, I guess.
It really doesn’t help when Blackaby says that the “way you live your life for God is your offering to Him.” It flashes through my mind that my offering has been pretty meager lately. So what am I to do at this point?
Blackaby sends me to Ephesians 4:1 which says As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
Of course, I want to quibble about my calling (as I perceive it). I make the mistake of reading on through v.2-3 which are explicit enough to set me straight – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
That’s enough description to keep me working day in and day out. Sadly.
And then Blackaby sent me to Phillipians 1:27 – Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel…. Of course, this was Paul speaking to the Philippians, but I can recognize Christ’s voice when I see it in Scripture. And it’s convicting.
To complete my musings about my ‘calling’ and especially at an age when I don’t have the energy or stamina of a Charlie Kirk and am lining up my other excuses, Blackaby finishes me off with this last verse. 1 Thessalonians 2:12 – …encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.
OK, interestingly enough, I am drawn back to a final interview that was done of Charlie Kirk one hour before the fatal event – Andrew Smith shared this which became Charlie Kirk’s final recorded conversation. I did watch it.
What I harken back to now in that conversation was a question Andrew asked – something along the line of what Charlie would share as words to live by. What I remember is his saying he had two things, one Bible verse and the other is not in the Bible but has a Biblical nature.
The non-biblical saying was “this, too, shall pass”. He explained that is good (if you are in hard times and need hope) or bad (if you have had a great time and are enjoying it). Sounds like something worthy of holding on to and remembering.
The second was the Romans 8:28 scripture I know and cherish – And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
There ya go! I can hang on to that – all my “things” that I am passionately working on right now can be an offering to the Lord because I do declare fully my love for Him and can be excited about the calling He has laid on me – solely because I know He is the one who will make it work for good.
I can rest in that – He is God and I am so grateful He is my God! May you be blessed in your calling in the coming weeks.
