This past Sunday my pastor preached about the cost of following Christ.
He talked about how as Christians and in sharing the gospel, we tend to share the “good side” only. We share the benefits of salvation and skimp on the sacrifice.
Yet we never see God “glossing up” anything.
He asks Abraham to leave his country and people “to the land I will show you“. Christ asks the rich young ruler to sell off his wealth and then come follow him. He asked Peter to leave his business and follow Him.
He gave invitations, not demands.
I am not trying to preach my pastor’s sermon (or maybe I am). But I was really challenged about how I live my life (and how I share the gospel).
I don’t know about you but I keep expecting purpose pursuit to be easier, quicker.
I keep thinking that I should be further along the road than I am. At least one health center should be running. One school. A fully funded church plant.
When I have to wait, keep quiet when misunderstood, weather opposition and resistance, I sometimes question the process.
Keep moving
Last Sunday’s message reminded me, yet again, that Christ didn’t call me to a comfortable, familiar, sacrifice-free kind of life.
So if it hurts, if it keeps me awake at night it doesn’t mean I’ve got it wrong. It means I followed, means I accepted His invitation.
I don’t know what you are going through as you pursue the dream God gave you.
I don’t know your exact circumstances but I suspect that you are interested in the God kind of success and will not let-up till you achieve it.
This is just an encouragement; your distress does not mean that He is not there with you. Your pain, discomfort, disappointment does not mean that you are doing it wrong. It just means you obeyed the call of the Master.
The great thing about our Master is that He always goes with those He sends. We are never alone.
Obedience to the call comes at a cost. When the pain comes, keep remembering that He’s with you and dawn will come if you faint not. And the end shall be better than the beginning.
Question – What obstacles and discouragements have you encountered in chasing some of your dreams, how do you overcome? Please share your thoughts in Comments.
I’ve had to remind myself that God’s timing is always best. He may choose to spend a lot of time preparing us before we’re ready to do what we’ve been called to do. That’s why my prayer lately is that I would be transformed into the type of person that he can use.
That’s a great prayer Loren. i think it’s a wonderful place to be at. I am also discovering that building a foundation doesn’t happen overnight. or over a few days. 🙂 Thanks for these thoughts.
You hit the nail on the head. We need to tell the whole story. It is not going to always be easy. You have to deal with some difficult days, weeks, months and even years. But, the wonderful thing if you know Christ is that He will be with you always. Even in the darkest moment He is our shining light.
Amen Bernard. He didn’t promise easy days but He promised He’ll be there with us. And He promised the victory too.
Thanks for this encouraging post, Ngina. Just yesterday I was feeling like a complete mess, but joy cometh in the morning!
I agree – ministry is so hard sometimes. So many different aspects of it. So many temptations, as well. I feel like I have to go back to God again and again and AGAIN (!!!!!) for strength, for readjustment, for comfort, for a good talking to, and for confession.
I am so thankful for how God loves me in spite of my weaknesses and sin and for how He continues to pursue me and gently (or sometimes not so gently) correct me.
Indeed, joy comes in the morning! I love mornings!
Your thought on going back to God over and over again reminds me of the song that’s been looping on my play list – talks about God making beautiful things out of dust/us 🙂 I’ve been needing that reminder of late – that He makes us new, continues to make us new.
Excellent title! It says it all! God knows there is no gratification for things achieved without cost of some kind. The gratification is the process, the longing, the not giving in. It is what makes our journey sweet. And in the process we gain wisdom and develop the most important of gift; perseverance… I’m keeping my sleeves rolled up!
Amen Floyd! Your thoughts on gratification reminds me of something my husband sent me this week, from the book The Millionaire next door. One of the author says “Countless millionaires have told me that the journey to wealth is much more satisfying than the destination”. Life is in the journey, not the destination! Am glad you are keeping your sleeves rolled up! Amen to life!
It appears we were both moved by pastor’s sermons this week, Ngina. 🙂
We know that God doesn’t wave his mighty hand and — poof! — we realize our dreams. Everything in the Christian life requires work, but I do believe many people believe if they pray hard enough, dreams will just come to life. No work, no time invested, no pain. Dreams, I think, are harder because they’re something coming from within us and very personal and full of emotion. They are like our children, and when someone doesn’t see them as full of promise or even worthy, we want to throw ourselves over them to protect them from scrutiny.
I am just embarking on a dream which isn’t a very big one and isn’t all my own, but within it, I hope to motivate larger numbers of people to work out their faith in various ways. That, in itself, is a roadblock I know I will face — moving stagnant people.
yes, Amy, we both were! so many great insights in your comment! Thank you. Honestly I sometimes wish for a might wave and “poof!” lol. But then I realize that the process is there for a reason, before He entrusts, He has to trust – I must grow!
Stagnancy is just about one of the hardest places to crack. It reminds me of what God said about lukewarmness. That He’d rather have someone hot or cold, not in between 🙂
Yet there’s nothing impossible with Him. He goes with you and will level every high place. Praying with you my friend. Thank you for coming by and sharing.
This post reminds me of a book I just read by John Piper called “Risk is Right”. Following Christ is a joyful thing but it also carries with it trials. Jesus said that we are blessed when we are persecuted. He also told us to pick up a cross which is a calling to suffer with Jesus.
Thanks for the great reminder.
Thank you Caleb, that’s a great resource by John. I think as Christians we have a “head knowledge” of sorts, regarding trials and suffering, but so often our experiences feel tougher than expected 🙂 I love that just like Christ overcame, we too shall overcome. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Great post, God gives each person a purpose and calling to fulfill. It requires perseverance, strong faith, and endurance, to move through the challenges and obstacles to purse our purpose/calling.
I have had to overcome a lot of self doubt and fear when it comes to moving toward my God given dreams. I make sure I’m closely connected with Him and do things that would build my confidence.
So many gems in your comment Dan 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing. On staying connected with God, I believe that’s where everything begins – He is not only the Source of our dreams but He is the One who fuels the journey. Thanks so much for your insights.
Great read, thank you!! Sometimes I fail to follow through on the daily plan of actions that I have set in place in “chasing my dreams”. Mine is to embrace consistency more and more, then I’ll be there!
Amen Paula! Sometimes the hardest obstacle is the one that lies within (aka “me”) 🙂 You’ve said it well, we just have to embrace consistency. Thanks for reading and adding to the conversation. i appreciate you.