Radical Here & Now

Resting partway between the River Dave, and the Lake of Brendar is the small hamlet of Gar.  Oh look!  The village idiot is about to say something...
 
So what exactly does obedience to God's call look like?  Do we sometimes say yes to the radical for self-serving motivations?  Perhaps we struggle with the desire to nurture our complacent status quo, unwilling to take a risk?  “Yup” twice.
 
I am thinking that we need to start with obedience to where God has put us, and openness to where he is going.  We need to be willing.  Willing to give everything.  Willing to take action.  Attentive to our situation right now.
 
Jeremy (6) has an older sister Katie (8) who was not progressing well in her fight against Polycystic Kidney Disease.  One of her kidneys had failed, the other was close to failure, and she was increasingly dependent on dialysis.  Katie's physicians had come to the conclusion that her best chance for survival was to receive a new kidney from a compatible donor.
 
After months of waiting, a suitable donor could not be found, and Katie's condition became grave.  It had been discovered shortly into this process that Jeremy was a perfect candidate for donation.  The operation presented some risks to both children, but the chances of survival were very optimistic.
 
Jeremy's parents asked him at home if he would be willing to donate a kidney to his little sister, so that she could move off the machine, and have a better chance to get well.  Jeremy thought carefully about the proposition, and after only a few moments decided yes -- definitely, he wanted to donate to his sister that he loved so much.  His parents were pleased, and somewhat surprised that he was so willing.  The arrangements were made.
 
The morning of the transplant, Katie and Jeremy were talked through the procedure as much as reasonable for children of their age, and after kisses and some tears, Katie was sedated first.  Jeremy's parents then thanked him again and kissed him as he lay waiting for his anesthesia.  He then turned to his mother and asked with simple acceptance, "Mommy, is this when I die?"
 
His parents were completely stunned at the misunderstanding, but so much more at Jeremy's willingness to give his life for his sister -- and so unselfishly!  They emphatically reassured him that he was not going to die, and that this was just a way for Jeremy to help his sister.  He quietly replied, "ok," and was put to sleep.
 
His parents and the attending hospital staff never forgot that amazing demonstration of unconditional, self-sacrificial love. 
 
Maybe you know that story.  I'm sure I butchered it.  No clue if it is true or not.  But it speaks to me -- and maybe it speaks to this issue.