My heart...

Here is a glimpse into my heart lately. I'm struggling. I'm really struggling. I can't come to grips with how I know God's Kingdom is real and thriving, I know He loves me and every other child of his on earth, I know so many don't know him and without those of us who do know Him telling them they will pay an eternal price, I know so many people need him and the people who love Him to stand with them as they fight the injustices that have come their way and I know my family (including me) has so much to offer the world around us - so why am I consumed by this world and my little life? I'm on a mission to learn to live more simply, to quit striving for the things of this world and to enjoy the call to serve God, to live for Him and to give fully all He has put in my hands. Gosh - this will be a long journey but with God's grace and love I know there is hope for even me.

Here is a great post from a friends blog that really touched my heart today and I wanted to share it with you as well! Thanks Gail... your faithfullness to the call is a breathe of fresh air! Not everyone understands all you are giving up but I see it and I so appreciate your willingness to go therefore and make disciples of all nations.

God's Calling vs. Our Desires

"Lord, I give up all my own plans and purposes, all my own desires and hopes, and accept Thy will for my life. I give myself, my life, my all utterly to Thee to be Thine forever. Fill me and seal me with Thy Holy Spirit. Use me as Thou wilt, work out Thy whole will in my life at any cost, now and forever." ~Elisabeth Elliot~

This is a quote from Elisabeth Elliot, the wife of martyred missionary, Jim Elliot. Jim Elliot's famous quote is my favorite, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

As soon to be full-time missionaries we realize that we are giving up a lot, but what we give up is less of a cost than our Savior gave up for us. He gave his very life for us so that we can gain a life that we cannot lose. In following Christ, who gave up everything, how we can anything but give up our desires, our possessions, and our everything in order to follow Him in the calling He has placed on us. Although some may not understand this calling, I choose to give up my plans and purposes, my own desires and hopes, and accept His will for my life, wherever that may lead me. I have found that as I give up my desires for the things this world says are important and follow His calling, then His calling becomes my desire and the things of this world become less important.