This Post Is Gonna Remind Ya That You're Mortal

Exaltation through martyrdom.

That's a great way to win friends, influence people, and get retweeted.

Okay, maybe not.

Quick story break. Like most folks here at Cedarville, I go to church every Sunday. I grab my glasses, clean socks, and (what I've termed) my "worship-leader plaid" shirt and head to Dayton. Biggest concern is getting there before the opening song; otherwise I'm forced into the "walk of shame," where I lower my head and plod into the sanctuary laden with guilt for my lack of punctuality.  

(Trust me, it's really embarrassing). 

But guess what? I was in northern Tanzania this summer. And you know what the biggest Sunday church concern is there? It's whether or not the coffee is Folger's or Starbucks special blend.

I'm kidding. It's whether or not the Muslims are going to bomb their church again. 

Aftermath of a church bombing in Arusha, an area of northern Tanzania.

I'm not trying to make light. And I'm also not trying to make another slam at our churches here in the States (personally, I love coffee at church...and Starbucks will be in heaven). But I'm trying to establish a perspective--this type of martyrdom still happens. I think we know that, but we don't always really get that. And sometimes it takes visiting a place where martyrdom--your own martyrdom--is a real possibility to really understand that.

But yeah. Exaltation through martyrdom. 

Philippians has become my favorite New Testament book (fun fact: Hosea is my favorite Old Testament book--I plan to preach on that sometime soon, so there's my unashamed plug that says you should ask me about that passage). It's the first chapter that particularly stands out to me...specifically verse 20.

"My eager expectation and hope is that I will not be ashamed about anything, but that now as always, with all boldness, Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death."

Interesting. That "Christ will be highly honored." Exalted, if you will. I'm a bit of a theology-junkie, so I find it fascinating that the Greek word here is hupsoo, (ὑψόω) which means to lift up, raise up, or exalt. 

**oh look, cool Greek words! You may pause here to go put on a V-neck, get some coffee, and get that Greek word tattooed on your forearm, you little hipster you.**

And grow a hipster mustache while you're at it!

Okay, and we're back.  Check this: Paul's main concern is Christ's exaltation. And notice, he isn't terribly concerned with how that happens. He isn't concerned whether it's by his life or by his death. His only concern is that Christ is highly honored--exalted. 

Spoiler alert: Paul gets martyred. And Christ gets exalted. He wouldn't have it any other way.

Little note to my post-graduation plans. I'm planning on going to northern Iraq this summer for an internship with an faith-based NPO. Now, as you know, Iraq isn't on the "TOP 10 BEST VACATION SPOTS" for 2013 (or any other year, for that matter). It's dangerous--particularly for Christians. Now, chances are everything will be fine. 

Check out Preemptive Love Coalition at preemptivelove.org 

But it's a strange thing to think about working in a place where you are faced with your own mortality every single day. It's a strange thing to know that anything, including martyrdom, is a possibility in an unstable area like the Middle East. 

Exaltation through martyrdom. 

Ah. To face our own mortality and eternal destiny each day.

But in the end, what does it matter? "My eager expectation and hope is that...Christ will be highly honored in my body, whether by life or by death." 

Let us live each moment corum deo--"before the face of God."