During the year of the pandemic, the borders were closed and the mountain was silent. I was at an emotional and spiritual low point in my life. Questions. Frustrations. Confusion. The town was quiet and the roads were empty due to enforced curfews. One evening, I was standing in the kitchen with our oldest daughter when she looked at me and said “I don’t feel well.” She leaned into my arms and her eight year old body passed out. No warning signs. She had been fine all day. Shortly after this my seven year daughter began vomiting and passed out also. We contacted doctors. We checked for any type of gas leak. Nothing. Absolutely no reason for the sudden sickness.
In this moment I heard the Enemy whisper to me “Is this worth it?” Is giving up convenience, comfort, family, community, and security really worth it? Is the exhaustion, loneliness, and isolation really worth it?
I have thought a lot about this over the past two years. Is sharing the Gospel really worth it? Is investing in the messy lives of people really worth it? Is taking the chance to be hurt by the people who you help the most really worth it?
Today I have been reminded of how short this earthly life is for each of us. As I received a phone call about the passing of a sweet friend’s father, Larry, I sat on the couch and wept. I cried because death hurts. Tremendously. But I smiled because I knew that Larry and Soy would say with a resounding “Yes, it is worth it!” They were similar because they could have $20 in their pockets and be willing to travel the world. They loved people—messy lives and all. They loved Jesus—trusting in Him without any worries of tomorrow. They knew that living a life for Jesus was worth it ALL!
“I seek not a long life, but a full one, like you Lord Jesus.” Jim Elliot
“For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.” James 4:14
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21
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