Great Will Cost You Good

Nearly a year ago I moved away from the place I had called home for 26 years of my life.  With that move I left behind family, friends, community, minimal traffic, and basically, my social life.  I was a social butterfly.  I was spoiled to have so many people around that I loved and that loved me.  Working 8 hours and driving to a restaurant or coffee shop to meet a friend was nothing.  Life was good.

Then God's plan unfolded.  His promise came true.  And I fell in love. 

All of the sudden, life was GREAT.  But, in order to fully embrace this great life, I had to move. 

My GREAT life was going to cost me my GOOD life. 

When I first moved, everything was fine.  I was so busy adjusting to a new job, my new home, and trying to find my way around (which I still have yet to conquer), that I really didn't have time to miss anything.  Then about 6 months in, it hit me. 

I was homesick.

I missed my constant community, face to face talks, and my mom.  Friends were busy and hard to get ahold of and I found my big world starting to get a lot smaller.  Then, I got engaged, and it seemed to somehow get even smaller.  

My best friends, who I had dreamed about this day with, were so far away.  Some with major life events going on.  I found myself very lonely, in what should be the happiest days of my life. 

My fiancé was amazing.  Always encouraging and my constant friend. My friends were amazing too. They did everything they could (and still are) to plan, dream, and prepare for this special day. 

But for a little while there, I was hurting.  No ones fault.  Nothing that anyone could fix, nor did I want them too.  I was just missing the good life. 

One night, as I was praying through this inner struggle, I very clearly heard the Lord speak to me.

"If you want to be my disciple, you must hate everyone else by comparison - your father, and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even your own life.  Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple" -Luke 14: 25-27

I felt at peace. 

No, Jesus is not literally asking me to hate those that I love, but rather to follow him, with undivided loyalty.  

When you look at the lives of the disciples who followed Jesus, you will not find an easy life, but you will find a great life.  They counted costs and found that the benefits highly outweighed them.  They got to walk side by side with Jesus, witness miracles, and make SO many friends along the way.  In the end, some paid in blood, some in family, and some in friendship, watching their best friend be nailed to a cross. 

And I'm sure if you asked any of them today, they would do it again.  As would I. 

Although there are things, people, and places that I do miss...I am gaining so much by being here.  I look back and realize that those things are still all very much a part of my life and just a drive away.  They have just been placed in the hands of God for a greater plan. By saying yes to God's plan for my life...He is blessing me with some amazing new friends, community, and allowing me to marry my very best friend.  

THIS is the GREAT life.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

So with all of this said, I encourage you to know that when you choose to follow Christ, wherever he may take you, it may cost you everything you know. However, you will gain so much in return.  Remember that his promises are true and when it hurts like hell, hold on to that.  His love never fails, his plan doesn't change, and his promises are true.  I say it again, His promises are true.  If you choose to walk in faith and trust that he is taking care of you, in the end, it will be ok. 

Just as I am ok. 

Hold fast friends, trust God, and go in faith.  Blessing is coming.  Faithfulness does not go unnoticed.