Guys Gone Radical

Just a quick blog about a couple of guys I know who are undergoing similar situations and getting radical right where they are. To protect their humility (haha), I am going call them Ricky and Bobby...

Ricky and his family have been on a journey the last couple years. They left family, moving from their hometown, all the way across the country. It was a quest for independence, and also for a little “american dream chasing.” In their new oasis they would climb the ladder, soak in success, and live it up to the full.

Then came a wrecking-ball-to-their-plans by the name of Jesus. While, they already knew and loved God, he was teaching them new things, showing them the bigger picture, and breaking their hearts for the poor. Over the course of the next couple years, Jesus reminded them of his purpose for entering mankind…to save people, love people, bring hope, and bring life. They were learning about sacrifice – giving up our own gain for the sake of Christ and for the sake of others. Ricky and his family began asking God “what does this mean for us?”

They began listening, learning, and seeking. In a relatively short time, God changed their hearts. What they had relocated to do (chase the dream in pursuit of earthly gain), had been turned around completely. They learned and accepted these lessons so well that they began making life altering decisions to downgrade and cute expenses, so they would have more resources to give to the poor, and towards advancing God’s kingdom.

And ultimately, God has called them to return home with their new perspective on life. Ricky was accepted a position at a company in his home state, and believes God crafted much of this, leading up to this very decision. Here’s the kicker: the position is exactly a 50% pay cut from his current job…and they could care less!

I believe God will allow them to live more simply, love more radically, and give more generously than they ever have, despite the fact that “the world” would consider it an impossibility.

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A few years back, Bobby moved his family on complete faith to a quiet, far from home town. God had been telling him to simplify, slow down, and focus on “being” the church instead of just “doing” church. Their obedience proved fruitful in more ways that I can even begin to explain.

God provided a perfect occupation that allowed freedom, interaction with townspeople, and flexibility to balance family time and other relationships however he felt appropriate. After a few years, the “career juices” started flowing again. As the world promotes and convinces so many men: push a little harder…achieve a little more…

Bobby left the company he was with for a management job with a big firm. More status, more money, more security, and more responsibility. It seemed like a responsible decision at the time. Bobby did well in his new role, and even developed some great relationships. But over time, something didn’t seem right.

The holy spirit was speaking to Bobby, and his wife. Corporate burnout was beginning to take its toll, family time wasn’t as fruitful as it had been before, and there was little time to devote towards other relationships and “kingdom work.” Together, they began seeking and praying.

Eventually, God answered with clarity. As he so often does, God encouraged Bobby to take the less secure path. It’s the one that requires more faith, and has less attractive earthly benefits…but far better eternal ones. God provided him the courage to leave his higher profile job to return to his former employer, who welcomed him with open arms.

I admire these guys for pursuing Jesus with their families, with their careers, and with their daily decisions. I am thankful for their supportive wives and families. May God bless them enormously as they shout to the world with all their strength that the way of Jesus is more unusual, more irrational, more unstable, more radical…and more beautiful and rewarding than anything we can dream up on our own.