BY REBECCA GRACE | AFA Journal Staff Writer

My friend’s father lost his life this week while carrying out the Great Commission in a foreign country. Only two days before his death, he shared from his heart the words God spoke through Paul in Philippians 1:21: "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain."

My ears have become attuned to these words over the years, but my heart now beats with a refreshed sense of urgency when it comes to recognizing, accepting and understanding the ultimate call God has placed on my life as a Christian. I am reminded that God’s calling on my life to take up the cross of Christ and follow Him is not to be taken lightly. It’s a life-or-death situation – physically and spiritually.

God uses Luke 12:48 to explain the ramifications of the Christian life when he says, "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." As a sinner saved by grace, much will be required of me and much will be asked of me, as it should. After all, much more than I ever deserve was given to me on a hill called Calvary when God entrusted me with salvation through His Son.

As His child, one thing God asks of me is to season this flavorless world of sin with the Gospel – to be salt and light regardless of the cost. As a writer for the AFA Journal, one of my callings is to join forces with this ministry for the glory of Christ. As a committed supporter of AFA, your calling is to do the same.

Together, we’re on a mission. This mission may not take us to a foreign country where we are called home to be in the presence of our Creator. But it does require us to send an e-mail, make a phone call, voice a concern or take a similar action – all for the sake of the family and for the praise of Christ and His Kingdom.