Who wouldn’t want to go to Heaven?!?! No pain, no sorrow, treasure that will not ever be stolen or ruined, a truly beautiful and holy place.
Now, all of this sounds just dandy, but it comes at a cost. What is the cost of following Jesus? Basically, you just have to be a missionary! Check! Just kidding but, not really. Be a missionary! That doesn’t mean you have to, oh say,
pack one backpack to last you an entire year and travel to 11 different countries abandoning everyone and everything you’ve ever loved. No, it doesn’t mean that for everyone. Sometimes it means going to the local homeless shelter, helping out with disaster relief projects in the neighboring state, or just helping out your neighbor. (For more on this specific topic check out this blog: http://joshuathomas.theworldrace.org/?filename=true-life-i-am-a-missionary )
I want to focus more on what it takes.. What does it take to get to Heaven? What does it mean to be a missionary? What does it take to follow Jesus? The answer: EVERYTHING. It will cost you everything. It will cost you your family in one way, shape or form. It will cost your comfort, your plans, your relationships, and your life.
Jesus says to Peter, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (Matthew 19:28-29)
Yes, it is hard work. Yes, bad things do happen. But, sacrificing for Christ is so worth it. He died for us. Why wouldn’t we live for Him?!? This year I am discovering exactly why we wouldn’t live for Him.. but
But, God promises that it will be worth it. I can tell you that it already is. It has already been worth it. I have experienced a love that is indescribable. Freedom that is incomparable. Grace that is undeserving.
So, who wants to be a missionary?
