“If Jesus never gave you another blessing in your entire LIFE, would you still follow Him?? Would it still be worth it?”
When I heard this question yesterday I LITERALLY did not know the answer. I think most of us would like to think that we would say yes, but is it really that easy?
Is the privilege of getting to follow Jesus worth the cost of pain and sacrifice and being uncomfortable? Is it worth not always knowing what the future holds?
Or is Jesus just the genie that we go to whenever we need something? Does he only get your attention and dedication when things are going well?
Again, “If Jesus never gave you another blessing in your entire LIFE, would you still follow Him?? Would it still be worth it?”
Deep down, I think my answer is yes. But it’s not just a blanket, joy-filled, easy “yes.” It’s a hard, sometimes doubtful, more often than not shaky “yes.”
I’ve come to the conclusion that my prayer and my desire today and for the rest of my life is this:
I AM saying yes to You, and no to my desires.
I WILL leave myself behind and follow You.
I WILL walk the narrow road BECAUSE it leads me to You.
I WILL fall but grace WILL pick me up again.
I don’t need safety as much as I need You. (mmm yeah. That’s already so hard. My “safety” has been my home and family. But I’m learning that “home” isn’t a place. HOME is JESUS and Him alone. He is my home and my safety).
You’re dangerous. But Lord, You’re beautiful.
I WILL chase You through the pain. (yes.)
I’ll carry my cross because real love is not afraid to bleed.
Jesus, take my all. Take my everything.
I’ve counted up the cost and You’re worth everything.
I’ve counted up the cost,
And You are worth it.
(Rend Collective, “The Cost”)
It all seems so surreal… leaving the United States, that is. There’s been so much thought, prayer, struggle, joy, energy, etc. etc. that I’ve put into this for the past year.
And now it’s finally becoming a reality.
So so crazy and overwhelming. I’m unsure about a lot of things and uncomfortable with change. But if I claim to know, follow, and love Jesus – I must obey. I will choose to obey.
I’m excited. I’m expectant for what the Lord will do in me and in others for the next 9 months. I’m scared. I’m filled with anticipation. I’m nervous. I’m all of these things and it is constantly changing.
But God is the same. He doesn’t change and He won’t ever change. So that is what I will hold onto. Tightly.
The Lord is my home. The cost of following Him is so worth it.
-
Lyss
AHHH LAST POST BEFORE I LEAVE THE COUNTRY!
My flight for the DOMINICAN REPUBLIC leaves TODAY at 11:00 in the afternoon! We fly into Punta Cana and will get there around 2:30. When we land, our squad will take a 6 hour bus ride to our ministry site in Lajas de Yaroa (woot woot). Pray for my team. Pray for our leadership. Pray for my heart. Pray for the ministry. This is hard and really weird. But I’m learning how to trust the Lord more. I LOVE YOU ALL SO SO SO MUCH!!
