My Popular Mechanics came today and I just finished reading about making concrete furniture. I wondered why. Not why I read it but why anyone would want concrete furniture. I tried to think of the pluses and came up with a. It might deter one from becoming a couch potato. b. It would most likely keep one’s wife from continually rearranging the room. c. It would never go out of style since it never was in style. d. It would generate discussions with guests during a lull in a conversation. e. No one could accuse us of living a soft cushy life. f. I can’t think of an f.
Mark 8:34 has always concerned me. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” I don’t believe I have chosen to be a cushy Christian, but I have never once felt that being a Christian lessened the quality of my life. As the years have gone by and my walk with Jesus has deepened the rewards keep flowing. When I read stories of people who are persecuted for their faith I begin to feel pangs of guilt. It has never occurred for me.
Jesus suffered. Paul suffered. Many early church fathers suffered. I read about lions eating Christians in the Roman arenas and wonder if I would have the courage to be faithful. It is true that many of those who died in the arenas actually went looking for it because they sought martyrdom. And some people today go looking for trouble. I don’t think that is what Jesus meant for us to do. Unless something drastically changes I will live my life as a cushy Christian not having to sit on a concrete sofa.
Written by Roger Bothwell on January 9, 2014
Spring of Life, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org