What are you willing to give up?
It could be as extreme as giving up your life for an entire year.
Or it could be something as simple as time, a phone, a type of food, sugar, coffee, anything.
Both are important.
Both serve a purpose.
Both are relevant and make a difference.
During Lent, we all try and give something up in preparation of Jesus’ return from the grave. Many times, we wait until Lent to give those things up, wait for Lent to be over, and then go back to a sense of normalcy once it has passed.
My question is what’s stopping us from giving things up right now? What stops us from continuing our act of sacrifice once Jesus has returned?
I think a lot of people think I’m crazy. I’m giving up comfort for a year of serving in third world countries with people I’ve only met through social media interaction and chats, in places that could very well get me the sickest I will ever be in my life. I am taking a risk. I am giving up everything I know, laying it down at the feet of Jesus in order to serve other people.
This is no vacation. This is not an extension of time for me to figure out what I want to do with my life – because this is what I want to do with my life for the time being. People can’t possibly fathom the amount of aching my heart does every single day to be out on the field right now. When I sip my coffee in the morning, I wonder what country the coffee beans have been imported from. When I sit in class, I wonder what children in other countries are learning – if they’re learning anything at all. When I see kids or people on the streets, I wonder if they know Jesus, wonder what their story is.
I always joke around and say if one-on-one-ing was a job, I would be the richest girl alive. But one-on-one’s are not about money, it’s about the time and sacrifice of sitting with another person, taking part in their stories, their pain, and celebrating in their happiness, too. It’s about being with anther person and laying yourself down to be present with them.
While I am the one physically giving up the comforts of home in the States, I am not the only one who needs to give up to God. In order for this to work, others need to be willing to sacrifice something – whether it be time, money, pride, etc…
My question here is what are you willing to give up so that Jesus’s hands and feet can be spread to the nations?
Is it 11 dollars (equivalent to 2 Starbucks drinks)? Is it more? Is it time? Is it encouragement? Is it the simple act of clicking a share button and encouraging people to give up and let God? Is it giving $1 instead of wishing a girl happy birthday on her Facebook timeline?
My birthday is coming up this Thursday. Please don’t wish me Happy Birthday on my Facebook timeline. If you want to wish me happy birthday, do it in person, through a text, an encouraging note or letter, through anything but coming to my timeline and writing those words down.
If you want to wish me happy birthday, take action by giving up anywhere from $1 – $22 (or more) by clicking support me on the top of this page. Or $16 on the 16th of April.
I guarantee you, giving up just that is going to make a much greater impact than the words “Happy Birthday” ever will on my timeline. Giving up a dollar or more will make a lasting impact on forever, on the Kingdom, on a girl or boy’s education, on a sex trafficked victim, etc…
Do you want to be a part of that? Are you willing to give up?
Because,
What you give up is important.
What you give up serves a purpose wherever you are.
What you give up is relevant and whether you know it or not, does make a difference.
All my Love,
Ashley
