I’ve been thinking a lot lately about what it really means when we talk about “counting the cost” of following Jesus. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t think that being Christian means you’ll have an easy life where everything is hunky dory.
Life for everyone I think, comes with it’s ups and downs. The difference with having Christ, is that we have something to hope for and look forward to. I also think it gives us perspective on situations, and an understanding that ultimately, when it comes to God, there is always a reason and purpose behind everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
His Dreams, Our Plans
The great thing about being on a college campus is the sense of excitement and hope that college students exude. I’ve said it time and time again, if you want to find a group of people who think they can do anything in the world, go to college.
The combination of youth, exuberance, drive, hope and intellect is a powerful thing. People in their early twenties don’t just have great ideas, they have the energy and aggressiveness to see them through. This isn’t just the time where we get our education, it is where our dreams come to fruition.
But what happens if one day God says something different about the plan you’ve always had for your life? What happens if choices for His kingdom result in sacrifices that are hard and sometimes painful to make? Is it still worth it then? Will you still answer the call?
A Story of Sacrifice
This year at Rez Week, our guest speaker Afshin Ziafat did an amazing job of sharing his personal testimony, as well as talking about the sacrifices that can arise sometimes when it comes to following Christ.
It really resonated with me because I think when it comes to following Christ, we as Christians must be willing to make sacrifices. The reality is, if we truly believe in everything the Bible says, then we should at some point come to the conclusion that our lives are not about ourselves, but rather about the impact we have on those around us for the glory of God.
Worth the Price
It’s been almost 8 years since I left Singapore to come to the United States. Since I was 17, the guarantee of being around my family during holidays like Easter, Christmas and the very recent Mother’s Day is no longer there.
And it’s hard sometimes. In fact a lot of people don’t understand how I can go without seeing family more than once a year. (Fortunately I am blessed to have parents who support my decision despite not getting to see me a whole lot.)
But while it might have been easier to not choose a life in ministry here, I can’t deny all the amazing things that I’ve seen God do on this campus and others across the country. And the fact that I’ve had a part to play in that? Incredible.
I guess my point with this post today is that whoever you are, wherever you are in your life, I’m certain that God may require you to make some sacrifices. But my encouragement to you is that whether it’s leaving home to do missions in a foreign land, forgo a party to spend time in prayer, or release a planned career to let God lead you elsewhere, it’s always good. Because God is always good.
So today, if God is calling you to something new and different from what you originally had in mind, my hope is that you’ll trust Him and take the risk. As someone who’s taken that leap before, I have only one thing to say and it is this: It is worth it. All of it.
“Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (The Message)
Kimberly Chung is the National Media Director for Campus Renewal Ministries, a ministry focused on forging partnerships in prayer to build missional communities that transform college campuses with the gospel of Jesus. She is a campus minister to The University of Texas at Austin and can be reached at kim@campusrenewal.org
