Could You Walk Away From It All?

I remember the flames dancing on the next ridge.

A raging forest fire was threatening our little mountain community of Wilson, Wyoming. The firefighters were throwing everything they had at the fire, but the winds whippped the flames into a full fury.

They warned us to be ready to evacuate.

We looked around at our possessions — at the things we had accumulated over two decades and wondered, “what was worth taking?”

There was surprisingly little we packed for the Jeep that night, in case the call came in. A few photos. My laptop. Some writings. A few favorite toys for the kids. Clothes and toiletries. Everything else could burn and we really wouldn’t miss it.

We were spared the destruction, but not the burning question. “How much of this stuff do we really need?”

I’ve been reading the book, “Radical“ by David Platt. It’s a call to give up our comfort, our sense of entitlement, for the sake of making disciples in all nations.

The rich young ruler who approached Jesus, all gung-ho to follow him was turned away. “Sell all you have and give to the poor,” he was told. Platt pointed out that Jesus often talked people out of following Him, because the price of servanthood is high.

So I’m asking the question of myself. Could I walk away from it all? How about you? Comment here.

Please, share with a friend if you feel moved.
Read all past issues at http://www.patheos.com/blogs/davidrupert