Making the Most of Every Opportunity

Here’s my last post in this series on the cost of following Christ…  You can read my previous posts here: DLB 1 - my call to move away was hard DLB 2 - how giving up good things/enduring through hard things grows me (as I see Christ as the true treasure) DLB 3 - how giving up good/enduring hard shows the gospel to others Please let it be clear that I do not think hardship/suffering is easy for the sufferer. And I am not saying that this “mini suffering” of moving is equal to other horrors . I believe that it’s beneficial to share this suffering because most of us will only really know these “mini sufferings”. They are very real and we can grow deeper into Christ through them . Some of us will face more. Some are being prepared through the small so that when great tragedy falls, our strength is rooted and firm in Christ. Others already have experienced or are facing incredibly heartbreaking loss and pain. Those dear brothers and sisters can teach much more than I ever can and I...

I’ve been sharing in Post 1 and Post 2 how hard I’ve found the call to follow Christ to be at times and yet that I see purpose in this tearing away and even joy in it… God is reminding me that HE is the true treasure my heart seeks and living here is a chance to see Him as that treasure both in how I receive/reject “good” things and embrace hard times . But I also get an opportunity in each to show His worth to others. Lesson 2: “ But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.   Indeed , I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord . For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him” -Philippians 3:7-9a Both the good and hard things are not just for my growth, but an opportunity to show His great value to others. God gives everyone good and hard things, not just those that are His. I believe that He does this so that His own can re...

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,   I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 3:12-14 I shared in the last post how following God comes at cost and it is hard. Following Christ’s call for us to do full time ministry has been good in so many ways, but also hard for me. In it, I believe God is teaching me a beautiful truth: We can leave “home” joyfully, appreciating that beautiful season and gift of living there, and knowing that HE is my real treasure, refuge, and rest. Oh how I battle to rest in Him fully and give up this  hold onto the past. Yet I am seeing so much more how very real and near and wonderful Jesus is through my struggle. It’s true that in His presence is t...

Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say farewell to those at my home.”   Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”- Luke 9:61-62 I’ve been chewing on this Luke 9 passage. I remember hearing how this passage is like marriage vows and it’s a joyful commitment to God. If I’m honest, as I read them now, years later, I’m not sure I agree. In fact, Jesus was teaching that following Him was going to be hard and people who didn’t want it to be hard should just leave and go back to what they were doing. He said by following Him you may not even have housing and you will have to leave people and places you love. He’s preparing them that going in His name will not be easy and they will not be loved by all. I’m struck most by the call to not even say goodbye to anyone but go forward in the work He calls. Though we were blessed to have a wonderful “goodbye party” before we left NJ, I see now my tendency to...