The other day I watched the Last Samurai, again. This is one of my favorite all time movies, even though I am not a big Cruise fan. Each time I watch this movie, all I can do is think about pure commitment. Seriously think for a moment, their faith was great enough to die for (a conscious decision). Can you honestly say your faith is that great? I would like to think I could, but honestly, sometimes I wonder if I could freely accept the death sentence. The problem is you’ll never know unless you’re put in that situation. I hope that if any of us are ever put in that position we would choose death that we may live.

It’s easy to give lip service in this fast food, drive through world we live in, but to stop and stand without waver. Knowing that your beliefs could (with high probability) send you to your death, could you stand? At the speed of today’s culture you can’t stop for 5 minutes without becoming 35 minutes late. Our society is accelerating at to great a speed. We need to slow down and think. Think about where we were, where we are and where we are going.

How about this thought, the first century Christians knew that if they professed Christ as Lord they would be accepting a very real death sentence. One that just might be carried out. I wonder how this fact, if it carried the same significance today would help church growth. Would we see less, but more authentic believers? Ponder????

Better yet, ask yourself this simple question. Is the life your living at this moment worth dieing for? I am speaking of both the physical and spiritual body. Where is God in your daily journey? Does He get the time left over at the end of the day or the few minutes your caught in traffic? Sundays between 10:00 and 12:00? Or is God the center of your day?

If we truly understand what God’s word is saying and really get this Jesus thing, we would all live our live more like the last Samurai and less like we are owed something (deserving). Even us Pastors get caught up in this, we are the leaders of our congregations yet we don’t exhibit the loving, humble, compassionate traits of Christ (don’t talk to that prostitute or go in that bar, someone may see me and get the wrong idea). Let me share a little something with you. If members of a church question the heart of it’s leadership, or the leadership is afraid that the members would get the wrong idea, maybe and I mean just maybe on the outside chance that there are potential problems brewing and “The CHRIST” is not being exhibited in your leaderships life.

I believe I can say this with the greatest of confidence. If I were seen going into a place that one of our members felt was odd (as some would say inappropriate), they would more than likely stop and see if I needed any assistance. Knowing that my heart is committed to serving the needs of the lost. Remember, the lost seldom find the doors to the chapel.

At the end of the movie the Emperor asks Cruise how his Samurai teacher died and Tom answered, “I will tell you how he lived”. I pray that when I die my friends and family will be able share with the world how I lived and I continuously pray that God will be the focus of all I do until I go home.

I long to hear the words, “You have fought a good fight my faithful servant, welcome home”