Come and Die

It's easy to get excited about. 
To tell others that is exactly what the church is missing.
To preach and teach about giving up everything….

BUT

Then, suddenly God gives you the chance to abandon this world and follow him
Leaving behind everything.
And at that moment, it's suddenly not so easy anymore.

This World Race thing is crazy. As I sit here and tri-fold over 300 letters of support, I'm thinking, "Most people my age are graduating and going on to get their masters degree or a career. Most people are getting married, settling down, and starting families." I realize, I'm not following the normal pattern.

I get scared.

"Maybe licking all these envelopes IS crazy! It sure does taste crazy!"

Then I'm reminded of the countless people who wanted to follow Jesus but couldn't seem to let go of their old selves. Family, Money, Jobs, Friends, etc. I almost feel guilty for laying out the pros and cons of going on the Race. 

But does God call us to blindly follow Him?

NO!

We are to count the cost!

In fact, in a way, Jesus says for them to look ahead and down the road He is headed stands a cross.
A CROSS!
Meaning death…
No one should take that lightly
We should consider the cost of following him!

"Am I willing to die to myself?
Can I actually practice what I preach?"

Really…?

The cost of the World Race is great.
But I serve a great God!

I'm almost positive there will be more nights when I think myself crazy, when I curl into a ball, rock back and forth crying my eyes out, yelling to understand.

But it wouldn't be faith if I didn't make the choice to continue to follow, knowing at the end of the road stands a cross.