When one is called to risk for Christ's sake, how we meet death is a sign of how we have met life.
There are those who seem to think it is enough to simply exist and persevere in a high risk situation, that in persevering we have become spiritually noble or spiritual heroes.
There are those who seem to think that risking anything for Christ means we have become someone we are not.
There are those who "market" for the sake of money or influence the death of people who have died in risk, who indeed were foolish and did not live day-to-day in their relationships in a way that glorifies God.
It takes real discernment to understand the meaning of our life--and potential death--when in a high-risk situation.
"There is meaning beyond absurdity [or chaos]. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art."(1)
So what is the meaning?
We cannot choose the biggest death, the one that most glorifies God, if we are not choosing on a day-to-day basis in our most ignoble or non-seen moments that which glorifies God and demonstrates His kindness to those around us.
From the team members who cannot get along, the one who "never forgave and never respected" the leader, from the husband who abuses his wife, to those who criticize, slander and withhold approval - these are not qualities that lead to a Christ-exalting life nor a Christ-exalting death.
(1) Abraham Heschel, "I Asked For Wonder" and in interview with NBC.
There are those who seem to think it is enough to simply exist and persevere in a high risk situation, that in persevering we have become spiritually noble or spiritual heroes.
The non-suffering Church naively heralds such people.
There are those who seem to think that risking anything for Christ means we have become someone we are not.
There are those who "market" for the sake of money or influence the death of people who have died in risk, who indeed were foolish and did not live day-to-day in their relationships in a way that glorifies God.
It takes real discernment to understand the meaning of our life--and potential death--when in a high-risk situation.
"There is meaning beyond absurdity [or chaos]. Know that every deed counts, that every word is power...Above all, remember that you must build your life as if it were a work of art."(1)
So what is the meaning?
We cannot choose the biggest death, the one that most glorifies God, if we are not choosing on a day-to-day basis in our most ignoble or non-seen moments that which glorifies God and demonstrates His kindness to those around us.
From the team members who cannot get along, the one who "never forgave and never respected" the leader, from the husband who abuses his wife, to those who criticize, slander and withhold approval - these are not qualities that lead to a Christ-exalting life nor a Christ-exalting death.
- We meet death well when we live sacrificially, when we don't live in a place of mourning or silence but of praise and indebtedness to a God who bled for us and who died to break the power of death over us.
- We meet death well when we continue serving Him, loving Him, even when we want to walk away, when the pain or the potential pain in risk (or in life) seems too great.
- We meet death well when we give all of our heart to love others well, even when misunderstood, slandered, and judged, just as He was.
(1) Abraham Heschel, "I Asked For Wonder" and in interview with NBC.