The risk of ADVENTURE

I remember in college I used to think a lot about how Jesus said that the call of following Him meant persecution.  Last week I mentioned a book called The Heavenly Man in a post about hope.  The book is the autobiography of a man named Brother Yun – a Chinese Christian who faces intense persecution.  It's possible that this idea of suffering is on my mind because of what I've been reading, but I also ran across a line by J. Oswald Sanders in Spiritual Leadership as I was skimming through some stuff today.  Sanders said, "Serving and suffering are paired in the teaching and life of our Lord.  One does not come without the other.  And what servant is greater than the Lord?"  The one who chooses to follow the Lord opens himself up to becoming a servant and to dealing with suffering.  Joining the Lord on an ADVENTURE isn't safe.  There is a risk, and it's because of the risk that many people avoid the invitation.  Unfortunately, those people also miss out on the immense blessing that comes with it.  Following God is not safe.  It has never been safe.  It was never meant to be safe.  But it is good.