April 02
A Vision to Die For
We are alive, but for Jesus’ sake we are always in danger of death so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our bodies that die.
II Corinthians 4:11 (NCV)
At the 2007 Leadership Summit, Bill Hybels gave the opening talk entitled Vision to Die For. He spoke to us about how a vision can be owned even to the point of death—a willingness to go so far as to die for the cause. Bill then cited an example from the Justice Journey. Specifically, he spoke of March 7, 1965 and what happened on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. For many, it was the defining moment in American Civil Rights history.
Many of the people marching for that cause of equality stared in shock at what awaited them at the other side of the now famous bridge—uniformed men with clubs and dogs and teargas. This sudden reality tested their resolve. Was their mission one for which they would die? For many it was, and several in fact did die as Alabama State Troopers and white supremacists launched into them. For many of the 600 dedicated to the Justice Journey their journey from Montgomery to Selma ended right there. They died for the vision … and in the process … helped change the nation.
Some may not realize it, but there is a cause greater than civil rights. It is a vision for freedom in Christ. If we are committed to this vision, ours can be a dangerous journey as well. And truth be known, we may come face to face with an even stronger hatred. If so, we may not make it to the other side of our earthly bridge, but the cause is so right, our Leader so true, we can face venomous dangers free from fear. Christ faced it. Paul faced it too. For them, it was a vision to die for. So the question is: is this our vision too? Is this a vision to die for?
Lord, grant your strength that we may live for You and, if need be, that we would be willing to die for the cause of Christ. Amen.
A Vision to Die For
We are alive, but for Jesus’ sake we are always in danger of death so that the life of Jesus can be seen in our bodies that die.
II Corinthians 4:11 (NCV)
At the 2007 Leadership Summit, Bill Hybels gave the opening talk entitled Vision to Die For. He spoke to us about how a vision can be owned even to the point of death—a willingness to go so far as to die for the cause. Bill then cited an example from the Justice Journey. Specifically, he spoke of March 7, 1965 and what happened on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. For many, it was the defining moment in American Civil Rights history.
Many of the people marching for that cause of equality stared in shock at what awaited them at the other side of the now famous bridge—uniformed men with clubs and dogs and teargas. This sudden reality tested their resolve. Was their mission one for which they would die? For many it was, and several in fact did die as Alabama State Troopers and white supremacists launched into them. For many of the 600 dedicated to the Justice Journey their journey from Montgomery to Selma ended right there. They died for the vision … and in the process … helped change the nation.
Some may not realize it, but there is a cause greater than civil rights. It is a vision for freedom in Christ. If we are committed to this vision, ours can be a dangerous journey as well. And truth be known, we may come face to face with an even stronger hatred. If so, we may not make it to the other side of our earthly bridge, but the cause is so right, our Leader so true, we can face venomous dangers free from fear. Christ faced it. Paul faced it too. For them, it was a vision to die for. So the question is: is this our vision too? Is this a vision to die for?
Lord, grant your strength that we may live for You and, if need be, that we would be willing to die for the cause of Christ. Amen.
posted by Craig Soderquist at 10:13 PM
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