two pages + two weeks

I finished a book a week or so ago...mainly about two christian young men who decide to leave their upper-middle class status, and take on the lives of homeless men among the streets of Portland, Phoenix, Denver, and D.C. for three months.

As I was contemplating God's promise and the notion of risk within my own life, I was encouraged by the last two pages:


"That first night on the streets of D.C., when it felt like Sam and I had dropped into oblivion, I prayed a desperate prayer: "Jesus, be our Rock."
And He was.
Even though the months brought more challenges than we could have imagined, even though we came to the end of ourselves again and again, Jesus held us safe in His power. And He will do the same for you too.
What if following Him is hard? What if along the way He asks you to accomplish difficult tasks or to overcome intimidating obstacles? What if it requires more of you than you have to give?...
...God probably isn't calling you to live on the streets like He did Sam and me, but He IS calling you- like He does each of His children-to take important risks of faith that are unique to you and your opportunities. I doubt those risks will have much to do with putting on a Christian acronym bracelet or a cross t-shirt. More likely, your journey will lead you toward utter dependence on the King of kings and a resolution to follow Him wherever He may ask you to go. That is might be to the streets, to you friends and family, to your neighbor, or to a stranger you haven't even met yet.
Still not sure what your risk might be? Then I dare you to ask yourself a reality-rattling question: "What would i do during my day or in my life for God if I wasn't concerned with what I wear, what I eat, where I sleep, what I own, what people think of me, or what discomforts I face?" Think about your answer. You're probably at least in the neighborhood of where your personal journey starts.
If my question sounds a little over the edge, think of it as a rephrasing of the invitation Jesus presents to all His chosen ones:

"Then Jesus said to his diciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.' (Matthew 16:24-25)

The next step on a journey of faith always feels risky and a little scary. but, it's also always terribly important and incredibly promising-and it's always up to us to take.
So join Sam and me and so many others in our generation. This Jesus we follow is the Redeemer of the world. The God we serve is the Rock on whom we stand. He's sure, steadfast, and worthy of our trust. He's calling us to live this life abandoned to Him, encouraged at all points by His Spirit and His Word and His people, looking to him for all we need.
There's only the left to do:
Walk off the edge with Him. "

(taken from: : "Under the Overpass: A Journey of Faith on the Streets of America" by Mike Yankoski)