The cost....

So, I have been reading in Luke and really trying to understand what it means to follow Jesus. I mean seriously, our Lord is intense! When he means give up everything and follow Him, like, we have to be willing to let go of anything! I was reading how many men were like, "Well, let me do this first..or I got do this one thing and then I will come." How often, when Jesus calls us to do something, we are like, "Well, I need to have my coffee in the morning, so I will fast after that." or "Well, I know you want me to get out of this relationship, but now isn't the right time." We make excuses so easily because we want the sacrifice to be comfortable. I know, I'm guilty of it,too! I ain't righteous, that's for sure. Not on my own! I know there has been times, because I care to much what people will think, when God tells me to do something and I put it off because I"m scared of what people will think or say. The thing is, we can't be afraid of going after our passions or the calling, or the demands the Lord has called us to do! Obedience is much greater than sacrifice. I'm not saying sacrifice is wrong, and sometimes we sacrifice something in replace of something we are really called to sacrifice, just to make ourselves feel better. Its like this, for example, maybe you want to fast something, but instead of fasting your desired love for chocolate, you sacrifice, watermelon. You like watermelon, but chocolate is FAVORITE! The thing is, that might of been a crappy example, we need to be willing to step out of our comfort zones. So often guys, I make excuses to try and come home. Yeah, I'm sick of traveling. I wanna do something new. I want to work with students so bad and share Jesus with them..I'm not going to lie, I am over this job. HOWEVER, God has me here right now..I pray I can go home soon, but I have to endure this time. I have to sacrifice my self comfort, for doing His will. And those of you who know me, I do have a hard time being away from home. However, I made it this far, and by the grace of God I have made it this far. Either your struggling like me, enduring a season where God wants you, or you're afraid of taking the next step (which will be me soon after this job), or you feel like life is just blah right now and you have no idea what or where God wants you. Its ok to feel those things, but its not ok to obey the way we feel. Ask God where He wants you, be willing to put aside fear and selfish motives. Its not easy guys, I know. However, the Lord is SOO good and He has a purpose for our lives. EVERYTHING we go through is for a reason and it will be used to bring us to the next step! We are maturing in our relationship with Jesus. Yes, in life we are going to fail, we are going to be afraid, but DON'T let that stop you! Trust the Lord your God! It may seem risky but it is milk and honey in the end!!