Trailblazers

For we cannot tarry here, 

We must march my darlings, we must bear the brunt of danger, 

We the youthful sinewy races, all the rest on us depend, 

Pioneers! O pioneers!

- Walt Whitman, "Pioneers! O Pioneers!"

Let me start off by defending myself, just in case you're slightly bewildered or taken aback as to why I'm quoting Walt Whitman on my Christian blog.

So here's my disclaimer: I'm quoting Whitman for the sole reason of his words. Regardless of his personal philosophies, political views or lifestyle choices, the man knew how to manipulate the English language into beautiful literary shapes. And so I'm quoting him here because his words illustrate my point beautifully.

The thing I like most about this selection from Whitman's poem "Pioneers! O Pioneers!" is how the narrator urges his fellow trailblazers to continue doing just that - blazing a trail - because "all the rest on us depend." The narrator recognizes the importance of their roles, and the impact they will have on future generations.

The same can be said of Christians. In a way we are pioneers, blazing a trail for our fellow followers of Christ, both now and in the future. The way we act, the words we say, can also affect non-Christians, especially when it comes to them turning to Christ.

That said...

When did we decide it was OK to blend in?

When did we stop blazing a trail for others to follow?

And what are we going to do about it?

A close friend told me recently: "Even though we Christians often say we don't care what other people think, the truth is, we do...or else we would see a much greater difference between our lives and non-believers'."

I had never thought of that before, but when she told me that I realized just how true that statement is! Others' perceptions of us make up the biggest obstacle standing between us and living a radical life for Christ.

We are called to die to ourselves and submit to Him. But often we don't. Like the rich young ruler, we don't want to give up what we have. Is it simply too hard? Is the cost simply too high? We would rather hold onto our earthly possessions than reach for the hand of Christ. And yet the love of our Savior is more precious than any material thing.

We've missed the point. We profess to be Christians but don't live like Christ. This sends a horribly mixed message to a dying world. But what do we do to correct this image? Often nothing. We'd rather just sit silently, hands in pockets, acting oblivious.

In his book Crazy Love (which, by the way, I highly recommend if you haven't yet read it), Francis Chan says, "The world needs Christians who don't tolerate the complacency of their own lives."

So let's take a step together: let's not be complacent. Let's pray for boldness and courage, for a sincere desire to live radically for him, for the abandon necessary to take the steps to do so. And let's encourage each other in this endeavor. 

A movement has to start somewhere. Let it start with us. Let's blaze a trail that can revolutionize the way Christians today live for Him.

I'll conclude the way I began: with Walt Whitman.

The poem closes with these lines, a call to action for all of us :

Till with sound of trumpet,
Far, far off the daybreak call-hark! how loud and clear I hear it wind,
Swift! to the head of the army!-swift! spring to your places,
Pioneers! O pioneers!

How appropriate is that for us as Christians?! Because we know that one day with the sound of a trumpet, Jesus will return to take home his bride!

In the meantime, spring to your places! 

Blaze a trail! 

Pioneers! O Pioneers!