If They Ask…

Martyrdom is old school. Try surviving modern notifications.

Martyrdom sounds dramatic until you remember Paul also wrestled with it. Philippians has him torn between staying alive to help people or checking out early to be with Jesus. He basically says, I want to go home but the church keeps needing stuff. And honestly that is extremely relatable.

Most of us are not facing actual martyrdom. We are facing inbox martyrdom. Group chat martyrdom. Volunteer “sign-up” martyrdom. The slow and steady dying of the will that happens every time someone says, “Hey quick question”.

But Paul reminds us that purpose is not always glamorous. Sometimes the holiest thing is not dying dramatically for the faith. It is living awkwardly for it. Showing up. Staying present. Loving people who drain your battery like it is their spiritual gift. And trusting that God can work through your exhausted, mildly irritated obedience.

Maybe holiness is not about how you go out. Maybe it is about how you stay in.

Questions for the Week and Strong:

1. Are you dying to self or just dying inside quietly?

2. What keeps asking “real quick” and stealing forty five minutes of your life?

3. Are you obedient or just too tired to argue anymore?

This Week in Prayer and Mixed Feelings:

Lord, there is willingness to die for You, preferably all at once and not slowly. Joking. Not really. And if following You ever actually demands death, please remove the instinct to negotiate. Amen.