Anyone who is outside, with belongings in their house, should not return to the house to pack those belongings. Remember Lot's wife. Luke 17:31-32
There is a time to stand and fight; and there is a time to run. If you wait too long to run, the consequences can be tragic. The boat people of Vietnam are just one pathetic reminder of what it is like to be a refugee.
The spiritual consequences are even worse if we hear God telling us to forsake the ashes that we cling to so desperately, and to step out in obedience and faith, and then we fail to obey him.
Jesus said to Peter, "Follow me," and he immediately left his fishing boat and nets. He said to James and John, "Follow me," and they immediately left their father. He said to Matthew, "Follow me," and he immediately left his job. And he calls us to follow him in the same way today.
One day death is going to come to all of us. It will not allow us time to tidy up the loose ends. Your employer, your family, your church will not be able to stop it from happening. Your sense of duty and obligation will not stop it from happening. Your wealth will not stop it from happening.
When it does happen, God is going to ask you what you did with the teachings of His Son. You won't be able to hide behind your church. Your reputation won't impress him. All the comforts and justifications that made it so easy for you to hold back from living by faith while you were in this life will be seen for the lies that they are.
So why not face 'death' now... by taking up your cross and following Jesus recklessly.
To hell with your job! To hell with all who will not make the same step of faith! For without such a step, hell is precisely where they will go.
You don't need references or even visas to start preaching the gospel where you are. We have been told to live just one day at a time. What can you do today to obey Jesus?
(See also Forsaking All.)
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