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Have you heard the expression “Boots on the Ground?” Well our Live Dead missionaries are the boots on the Silk Road. Here we’d like to take a moment and allow one of them to share a snapshot of their life with you. Today’s post is from one of our missionary kids and gives a glimpse of what they are learning on the field. 

“What do you want to be when you grow up?”

To be honest, I’ve always hated this question. The only matter on which I was completely decided upon was the fact that I am indecisive. One day I wanted to be a writer. The next day I was convinced I’d be a teacher. A few weeks later the words “rock star” somehow tumbled out of my mouth. I’m pretty sure even cruise ship director made its way into my mind at some point. The list was endless, and miraculously never redundant. I wanted it all, yet wanted nothing in particular.

I’m grown up now, and I’m asked less and less what I want to be. Yet I can say decidedly, I’ve finally found my answer.

I’ve decided I want to be like Christ.

Hmm. Perfect. Talk about aiming high.

Honestly, like Christ? Anything else would have been easier than that! To be an astronaut – easier than being like Christ. To be a professional neurosurgeon – it would take a lot, but I’m convinced still easier than being like Christ. World domination – a challenge, I’ll give it that. But to set my mind on making myself the lowest, humblest servant to mankind…I’d say even more of a challenge.

Is it Even Possible?

How could my flesh, which has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, ever truly be like Christ?

Let’s contemplate the idea of this ‘sin’ for a moment here. This is a natural characteristic of our souls, given to us by Adam who was the first to rebel against God. Sin is innately within us. As its definition commands, it is rebellion against God. It is the abundance of wickedness and folly, the exact opposite of the righteousness of God. This abundance of filth within my soul is exactly what makes me unable to stand in the presence of the holiness of God.

How could my flesh, which has sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, ever truly be like Christ?

But the truth that resonates within my soul – all are justified freely by God’s grace that came by Christ Jesus.

I am Justified

God looks at me and says, “You are no longer guilty.” In place of condemnation for my sins, God places his own righteousness over me. He lets his grace wash over me, taking away my sins that once separated us. He does this, not because I’ve done anything to deserve it, but simply because I decided.

I decided to believe in my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord.

I decided that my sins would no longer rule me – that I would live dead to my flesh every day.

I decided that doing good was not enough to concretely know where I’d go after my time here on earth.

I decided I want to be like Christ.

No Turning Back

Yet the decision doesn’t end there. That is only the beginning. Every day, I will reject the condemnation the world and I myself long to place on my shoulders for my sins. Every day, I will seek to live by the Spirit, not by my flesh or feelings. Every day, I will humble myself before my brothers, aiming not to judge but to love. Every day, I will not conform to the pattern of this world, but give my mind to God to be renewed by his grace.

Every day I will decide. Every day I will grow to be more like Christ.

To be become an astronaut, it would take a few years. To become a neurosurgeon, it might take a little longer.

But to become like Christ…that will take a lifetime.

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