Following Jesus

Deciding to follow Jesus is not an easy task.

When we decided to say ‘Yes’ and make the commitment to go to the mission field, we were full of excitement, joy, eager for the prospects of a new journey. We also knew it may be hard on some and some would not understand.

Some of the challenges:

·         Telling your wonderful boss that you are leaving a job you love was not easy.

·         Selling a business, you spent years building and telling your partner you would be stepping away was not easy.

·         Telling your friends that you have had for years that you were moving to another country was not easy.

·         Selling and giving away all you worked for was not easy.

·         Living on complete faith and God to provide is not easy.

·         Seeing others hurt and not understanding why is not easy.

·         Telling your family, you are leaving was not easy.

·         Raising support is not easy.

·         The hardest part, perhaps, was telling our daughter we were moving to another country, and the realization that she wouldn't be joining us. (This deserves more attention, and I may share more about it later.)

Some seem to think that because we said yes to God’s calling that it would just be easy on us since “we are the ones making that decision”. I am here to tell you this is the hardest decision I have ever made. We have lost but also gained much. God never said following Him would be easy.

Matthew 16:24: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

2 Timothy 3:12: Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

However, there have also been some beautiful moments:

·         Meeting people you never would have met if we were not on this journey.

·         Seeing those that would not have known Christ or heard the Gospel without someone saying “Yes”.

·         Seeing God move mountains.

·         Seeing the kingdom of God grow.

·         The peace we have knowing we are doing exactly what God has asked – giving up our worldly desires and following Him.

Though following Christ isn’t always easy, I wouldn’t change it for the world. The eternal reward far outweighs the temporary hardships. Heaven is my true home, and I have a purpose to fulfill.