The Cost

In the past few days it has really hit me hard that I am leaving. These next four weeks are going to fly by. Then life as I know it will be drastically different! And I'm not just going to be gone a short time, but 7 months!! Seven months in Haiti. Wow.


No family get togethers, no car to drive...my close friends will no longer be a short drive away and my family will no longer be in the next room; I will miss my home, church, co-workers, cell phone, chocolate, the clouds, my favorite foods, etc. I could go on and on!


However, this is the cost. 


I was reading this article a few months ago entitled, This is the Cost, on Pioneers Media. It is the conversation between two women who have moved overseas, with their families, to do mission work-


"The cost-benefit ratio of following God's lead and moving overseas is complex and varied. Are there benefits? Absolutely! We can count abundant benefits to our family, our marriage, our kids and our spiritual lives. There are many, many benefits to living a life of service overseas.


But, are there costs? Of course. Yes, absolutely. There are painful, daily, humiliating and difficult costs on our lives. 


I think, that said, there is a cost to any God-following obedience. ...taking up our cross, He calls it in Scripture. There is always a cost to following Christ.


The cross...although it brings innumerable benefits...is painful and heavy.


The costs of moving out of your home culture to serve alongside the Good Shepherd, though, are unique. And, these costs are heavy.


...missing your sister's wedding.


...having your young child ask you again, "Now who is that person?...What is his name?" And, he is referring to your brother, his uncle.


...missing that graduation, that 40th birthday party and the Thanksgiving dinner.


...being forgotten. Or instead, being so deeply missed that you are the source of someone's pain. Which is better?


...not having that youth group, that Grandma's mentoring, or that Christian friend for a young budding daughter. 


...missing it...not being there...not having. 


"This is the cost," she says to me. And, I hear her heart. And, I can only agree. I nod. And, I smile with small tears brimming. "Yes, this is the cost."


Is it worth it? ...What a crazy, silly question, we both know. Even with brimming tears we know- of course it is worth it! We hardly have to ask each other the question. We know what He has asked of us. And we know His will is for His glory and our best. We know the benifits. We know our Good Father and His blessings. So, of course it is worth it!


Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life." John 6:68


The benefits most definitely outweigh the cost. Always. Where else are we to go!?


But, there is a cost. And, there is a cross.


And, we must carry it. and, yes, this is the cost."


We know what He has asked of us. And we know His will is for His glory and our best!