Sacrifice.
What. does. that. even. mean??
So you are saying that I have to actually sacrifice time for this? Money? Effort? I won’t be able to spend as much time with friends? I’m confused. I thought I was supposed to be a part of community and this would encourage me to be more involved. You mean I actually have to be less involved in the things I WANT and change MY desires to focus on this? On this Mission? This. is. ridiculous. This will require work? I don’t have self-motivation or perseverance for this. I canNOT do this.
Yeah, I’m right. I can’t do this. But good thing YOU can. I can’t do this alone, but thankfully I do not have to. GOD YOU GOT THIS! You are good and you never leave me. I am never alone. You have surrounded me with the best support system.
These are the truths I have to keep telling myself as lies somehow creep into my little brain. I have to battle the lies with the truths I know. I remember talking to one of the youth in the small group I help co-lead, and we discussed having to build our arsenal. It is so evident in the Bible that we must keep the armor of God on to battle in this spiritual warfare. I mean where do these thoughts even come from?
The enemy.
The enemy does not want this mission to happen and is ready to attack at all times and at all costs. How easily it is to want to give in to my fleshly desires and give up what I’m called to do, what we are all called to do. Go and proclaim His name to the nations. It’s actually NOT supposed to be easy.
What the disciples sacrificed in the New Testament is in no comparison to what I believe I’m sacrificing. It’s far beyond what I could ever even imagine. Not to take light of our daily comforts, but I mean, really? So I will have to humble myself, let go of my pride, and ask for help. So I will leave my family and friends for a year, but I get to come back to my home. I often overlook how much I have, how much I will have on the mission, and how much I will get to come back to after the race is over.
I am completely and utterly blessed that I have desensitized myself into thinking this is the norm, the luxuries we have. The norm for us is actually swimming against the current, walking uphill, running the race. Sanctification is a sloooow and enduring process. After a month into being accepted into the World Race, I have already forgotten why I signed up in the first place. It is to glorify our Father. This is only a season, and it’s a season I’m called to learn to love the trials.
Okay God, what is this season teaching me? What am I called to do? How do I glorify You?
Lord please humble me and give me faith that can move mountains. Guide me to trust in You where I’m lost in lies that hold my thoughts captive. Where I am weak, LORD YOU ARE STRONG! Thank you for your constant pursuit of me. Thank you for coming to this earth to seek me out and to save me. Thank you for dying for me.
Thank you for your Sacrifice.
