As I sit here procrastinating doing my school work, I can't help but be reminded of what the Lord has been teaching me lately.
I hate to burst some of your bubbles, but following Jesus is not easy.
And that's what I have been realizing lately.
It's not easy standing up for Jesus when people choose to rebuke Him, or speak to the person that God is tugging on your heart to speak to, or giving more money than you want to give to someone you know needs it because you felt the Lord ask you to do so.
It's not easy.
Another thing that I have realized is that when Jesus asked me to give up everything and follow Him, that's EXACTLY what he meant.
Come on, Erica, you knew that..
Yeah, you're right, I knew it. But I guess it was one of those things that had been engrained in my head so long that I got comfortable…again. I didn't realize the depth of it and I had lost sight of what it actually meant.
Give up everything? Sure, Jesus, I can do that.
Wait, what?
Four months later, a friendship blossoms into something a little bit more than a friendship.
Or you get this awesome opportunity to do something here in the US that only comes once in a lifetime.
Or you realize that not everyday on the World Race is going to be peas and carrots and loving on little orphan children who smile at you?
Oh, you mean I have to give up all that too?
I mean, I'm just being honest.
Comfort? Out the door…
Pride? Goodbye.
My own personal desires? It's not time.
These are the things that He has been showing me.
But partnering with that, He's letting me know that:
This is where I give Him everything I have, yes. I give Him my heart, yes.
And it won't be easy, no, it won't.
But it will be worth it.
Playing with those beautiful orphan children.
Hanging out with gypsies and ministering to them.
Fighting human trafficking.
Spending time in community.
Relinquishing myself and igniting God in me.
Preaching to hundreds on the spot.
Laying hands on the sick.
These are the things that God has called me to do for the sake of the Gospel.
And it won't be easy.
Going without showers,
Going without AC,
Without a comfortable bed,
Without knowledge of where I'm going to be or what I'm going to day to day.
These are the things that God has called me to give up for the sake of the Gospel.
And it won't be easy.
I said once before, "I don't want to JUST follow God. I want God to surmount all my Earthly desires and remain the reason why all those desires mean nothing in lieu of His worthiness."
I meant it when I said it. God is absolutely everything to me and I will give up all those comforts to share with others the things that He has done in me, for me, and through me!
It won't be easy, and it hasn't been easy, but I know it will be worth it.
Matthew 16:25 – For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.
