I was given a Word of Faith – Kenneth Hagin magazine the other day from my Boss with whom I had recently shared some of my current struggles (anxiety, worry, stress, fear, doubt) while transitioning into this next chapter in my life.
As I was reading through it hoping for a bit of encouragement I ran across an article titled…you guessed it.. Obeying God Doesn’t Cost – IT PAYS! Instantly intrigued I began to read on.
“It doesn’t cost to surrender to God; it pays. Some Christians, bless their darling hearts, are always talking about what they had to give up and what it cost them to be a Christian. I’d just as soon hear a donkey bray at midnight in a tin barn as hear folks talk like that! It doesn’t cost to obey God and dedicate your life to Him. It pays! “
Wait whaaaat??
All this time I’ve been sooo focused on all the things I’ll be giving up come next September and all the sacrifices I thought I was making to go follow God on this trip. I’m kinda sorta, actually completely guilty of complaining about how I’m giving up my car, and my house, my job, and going on and on about whether or not I should sell ALL of my stuff or keep some of it, and the list of what I was counting as “Costs” just keeps going. HOLD UP!
What on earth have I been telling myself?! I think Pastor Hagin has a point! What is my “stuff” in eternity?? NOTHING! I can’t take a thing that I own with me to Heaven, not one thing! But you know what I can take? I can take Souls! I can bring people with me to Jesus! And how much more precious those Souls are than all my dumb “stuff” that I thought was the price for following Christ.
He’s right. It Pays to Obey God. I have been lookin at things all wrong, so worried about everything else when the fact is; this is a once in a lifetime opportunity! How Blessed I am to be able to leave behind the crap that fills up my life and go on this journey with God and be forever changed. What an honor it is to go serve the least of these. That I have been chosen to represent all of you (my supporters) and Jesus to a lost and broken world. To share the love of God with people who are hurting and so desperate for even a glimmer of hope. There is no Cost on my end, but only Gain!
“The Lord’s way is always best! The Lord’s way is one of blessing, protection, and victory, even in the midst of life’s greatest tests and trials. It doesn’t cost to obey God and His Word; it pays!”
*All quotations by Kenneth Hagin
