Vampire Confessions
As of today Twilight New Moon made history by becoming the third biggest grosser in box office sales worldwide = $259 million in three days. This success and the current cultural fascination with all things vampire got me thinking.
I have a confession to make. I WAS A VAMPIRE… and sometimes I relapse into my old blood-sucking ways.
Dallas Willard has defined vampire Christians this way. One in effect says to Jesus: “I’d like a little of your blood, please. But I don’t care to be your student or have your character. In fact, won’t you just excuse me while I get on with my life, and I’ll see you in heaven.”
The gracious blood of Christ on Calvary cleansed me of all sin, wiped away my shame, and launched me on a journey of faith. But I sometimes fall back into the self-centered thoughts, words and actions that dominated my pre-Christian days. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not talking about the type behaviors that make headlines. I’m talking about a preoccupation with all things “mine” – family, friends, work, etc. These are all good things in and of themselves. But my preoccupation with them can easily distort the biblical priorities for Christ followers.
One example. Almost all prayer requests deal with issues directly related to the life of the person making the request. There is nothing wrong with asking for prayer for my job, my health, my mother’s care, my friend’s wife or even my dog. But if this type need dominates my life and prayers, what does that tell me about my faithfulness to Jesus’ core calling to follow Him in service to others? My prayers have sometimes sounded like, “Jesus bless me, my family and my friends. Thanks. Bye.”
This kind of “discipleship” does not honor Christ or further His mission in the world. This lifestyle is a vampirist caricature in which religious people try to suck blessings out of the Savior while continuing to live by their own interests. God help us.
Pray for me. I want to be a man that allows the blood of Christ to move me beyond selfishness to servanthood. I want to be faithful to my family and friends, but also join God’s mission to lost and hurting people beyond my circle of intimacy and comfort. I don’t want to be a vampire.
Carolyn and I will celebrate Thanksgiving with all our clan in Mississippi this week. We have a lot for which to give thanks. God is good.
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11 Responses to “Vampire Confessions”
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Some people call me a “mission mobilizer.” I am passionate about helping people connect with Christ and his mission in ways that change the world.
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timely & thought-provoking…and I”m oh so guilty of this! Thanks for the reminder to keep moving forward toward servanthood and for FollowOne’s role in my life in making this happen.
I am humbled to hear your witness that God is using FOI, long distance, to move your forward. Luf = love you forever
It dawned on me that Jesus like vampires must be “invited in”. Have we truly opened ourselves to Him? Or are we letting Him stand outside just waiting for us to get ready?
Brother James.
Thank you for the good words.
Lord, help me(and my family)to move past selfishness to servanthood and get on God’s mission.
Sweet prayer partner Cindy – I am so thankful that God used my simple words to encourage you. Let’s continue to keep pushing each other foward for God’s glory and the good of the world.
Wow – powerful words. Thank you for once again calling me to a life lived in faithfulness to Jesus and His ministry.
James,
Thanks brother. I met you in my living room a few months ago with Soup Campbell at the kickoff of our FellowshipMemphis Missions Team. One of the most convicting questions ever asked to me regarding prayer was, “If all of your prayers over the last six months were answered, how would the world be a different place?” Wow!! I had to be honest with myself that I was and still am at times not praying for the nations and the lost everywhere. God help me to have on my heart what our Lord has on His.
Hi JB. Of course I remember you. I started to stop by your home on my last Memphis visit. I love the convicting question you shared – I will definitely use it to spur on myself and others.
I guess the cross is a pretty good dagger for piercing the heart! May we all die to the vampire within. Thanks, brother!
Wow. A perfect connection. I wish I had thought of that. The Cross = the only cure for my selfishness.
You certainly made me think about some of my prayers! Have a blessed Christ filled season!