For God Loves a Cheerful GiverНамуна

Giving of Ourselves

When we serve others, we can give of our time and resources, but sometimes what we give goes deeper. We give of our very selves. What does that mean, or what might that look like? Maybe in deciding to be in full-time ministry, you gave up a satisfying career where you excelled and would have had a comfortable life. Or maybe, in moving overseas, you are missing out on major events with friends and family. You don’t know your nieces or nephews and miss out on watching them grow up, or your parents or siblings don’t know your children and only see them when you go back (which isn’t very often). Maybe you had a vibrant community of friends that you haven’t been able to replicate in your new context. The list could go on.

We know that our going into ministry costs us something, but the cost isn’t always obvious in the beginning. The missed opportunities, the daily sacrifices, the constant giving of yourself while those around you flourish (or at least don’t live the same hardships) add up and can tempt us to ask the question, why? Is it really all worth it? Recently, my struggle with the Lord has been, “Does it ever get easier!?” As time passes, it seems that everything just gets harder and that the cost gets higher. Yet we push on, and we persevere because we are convinced that the sacrifice is worth it. That giving up our lives (our past and future life) for others to know the Lord is both the hardest and most rewarding thing we could do. Don’t lose hope.

Tomorrow, we will look more at how to fill ourselves up so as to not burn out, but for the rest of today, think through some of the sacrifices you have made (or are making).

Why do you continue?

How do you bring these challenges to the Lord so that they don’t become a source of bitterness?

How do these verses encourage you to persevere (or what other verses do you find encouraging?)