Final Claver Lesson: A Life Less Ordinary

Pedro Claver's life was anything but ordinary. He lived life on the edge. People thought he was crazy, or stupid, or even dangerous. The world rejected him because he did not live according to the standards that the world has set up for success.

This has profound ramifications for us today. My basic premise is that many American Christians live according to wordly values. We need a gut check. How are we living? Are we normal? Are we average? Are we successful? Are we comfortable? Are we a mess because we live like the world does?

Jesus Christ calls each of us to a life that goes against this present evil age. God wants us each to experience the freedom that is found in him. We should not be in bondage to the world, even though many of us are buying into what the world is selling. So I'll end my Claver lessons with this point: What is keeping you from living a life that is radically sold out to Christ and making a huge impact for the the Kingdom of God? If your mortgage payment is keeping you from doing something radical with your life, then sell your house and downsize. If debt is keeping you from being generous, then get out of debt. Whatever it is in your lifestyle that is serving as a barrier towards serving others or living a life on the edge, then you must remove those barriers. Plain and simple. Start taking risks, and stop playing it safe. Embrace suffering, and find joy in it. Let go of the comforts of this world. Everything you have, and all that you are, belongs to God anyway. It's all his. Not ten percent. Not what you choose to give. It's all his. Not just your money, but everything. We need to live like that. People will think you are crazy, or stupid, or even dangerous. Then you'll know you're getting close to what it means to follow Christ. Then maybe we will become true believers, and then maybe Christianity will grow in America like we've never seen before. The time is now. Life is short. Now be like Pedro Claver, and go live like Jesus.