How much does it cost to go on the World Race; an 11 Month missionary trip to 11 different countries around the world?
Besides the $18,100 we needed to fundraise, the hundreds of dollars we spent on vaccinations, and the hundreds of dollars we needed to invest in gear and other necessities, the World Race costs a lot more than any amount of money that we could ever raise or spend.
“And, without Faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Faith is the currency of the Kingdom. Throughout my life I have been given blessings, because of my faith in Him. But, to carry out The Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20), is the cost of Faith enough?
During last night’s training session, I heard the Holy Spirit say, “More”.
I responded saying, “Yes, Holy Spirit. I know God will show me more.”
The Holy Spirit, with a sweet chuckle corrected me and said, “No. Jesus needs MORE FROM YOU.”
The thing is, I can tell you all day, every day that I believe in Jesus. But, when Jesus comes to me and says, “Come, follow me” will I go to Him every single time?
Will I give Him more than Faith? Will I give Him my WHOLE heart? Will I obey Him? Will I trust Him? Not just now. Not just for this missionary trip. But for every moment of my life, will I choose to follow Jesus and spread His Gospel and His Love? Will I choose to live out the heart of God where ever I am?
Having Faith and believing in Him is great! Living with the intention of going beyond Faith and obedience to share His Gospel to seek and save the lost is His command to all those who believe. And that’s an even greater cost.
Last night, one of our leaders Tim Dillbeck said, “count your costs, because following Jesus is going to cost you.”
I don’t want THIS to just be an “11 month trip” and then I’m done.
I want to soak in all of Jesus so that I can learn, grow, change, and take Jesus with me for the rest of my life. I want to live a life worthy of the calling that God has planned for me. I want to make an impact on the Kingdom while I’m here on Earth. I want to love and serve my community with as much passion as Jesus served us.
So I am counting the costs.
I won’t be surprised if while on the field, Jesus will keep asking me for more. And, when He does, I pray that the Holy Spirit convict me over and over again so that I will say “yes” every time.
Following Jesus will cost me my plans as I entrust my life to His plans.
Following Jesus will cost me my worldly comforts as He physically, emotionally, and spiritually stretches me.
Following Jesus will cost me my “in the box” or safe idea of what a ministry looks like. Sometimes ministry means sitting in a hotel lobby talking about Jesus to a believer who’s lost passion.
Following Jesus will cost me the walls that I spent a long time building around my heart. For Jesus to change me and to nurture community I need to be vulnerable.
Following Jesus will cost me my fleshly desires. To spread the Gospel, I need to be sober-minded, ready to hear and obey the Holy Spirit.
Following Jesus will cost me my time. Sometimes Jesus requires me to minister to a friend at 2 in the morning when really all I want to do is sleep.
Following Jesus will cost me precious memories that I could be making with family. Jesus will ask me to sacrifice those moments in order to make memories with a complete stranger instead.
Following Jesus will cost me the idea that failure is not an option. With Jesus, failure is celebrated because He comes in and teaches me.
Following Jesus will cost me a lot of tears. There will be situations where I will have no control and the only thing I can do is trust that God is good no matter what.
Following Jesus will cost me m Self. I must deny myself a thousand times over and acknowledge Jesus in my every move in order to make an impact on the Kingdom here on Earth.
I’m ok with this. I want to pay the costs, because He is worthy.
Tomorrow, we will be traveling to Dominican Republic. When I see my Squad Mates, my Team Mates, and my Leaders — I see Jesus.
This is so worth it. In the grand vision of God’s Heart, this cost and what I have to pay is nothing compared to the price Jesus paid for me. What I have to lose is nothing compared to the prize I’ll gain in Heaven.
***We have about $370 left to raise before being fully funded! If you have it in your heart to donate to myself or any other members of my team, please browse our blogs and click on the orange “donate” button above! Thank you for your prayers and support!***
