It's worth it

Two years ago, sitting in my bi-annual review, it was commented that the owners of my company believed I talked about God too much in the workplace. I was rather new to following Christ with my whole life and in many ways acted like a bull in a china shop. I was reckless in the best way and often spoke whatever I felt The Holy Spirit was prompting me to say. Shortly after that review, I began to feel the tug on my life to enter into full-time ministry. I knew that this meant, I’d be taking ⅔ of a pay cut. I knew that this meant, I’d go where God called me to go. I knew that this meant, leaving what was familiar. I knew that this meant, venturing into territory that was uncharted at the time. 

In Philippians 3:7-9, Paul makes this statement about the things he has left behind. He says, “The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by Him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.” (MSG) 

Paul’s words, specifically in this version, feel like a fresh cup of coffee with a friend who towers me in life experience. It’s as if, in some ways, I can hear him saying, “Brit, everything that others are proud of, doesn’t compare to the work Christ has done and will do. Trust me when I tell you, everything that I once thought was so important. I found, isn’t at all. At least, not compared to Christ. So give it up and give it to Him. Embrace Him and be embraced by Him. It’s not about the rules of religion, it’s about doing what God has called you to do. Right here, right now.” 

I love Paul’s words because I don’t have to sugar coat it. We could end today right here and God would be satisfied. But I want to tell you one more thing before we hit the road. It’s worth it. You might already know this and if that’s the case, I give you full permission to sign off. But if you’re anything like me, you tend to forget the things you know. The voice of fear is amplified, insecurity takes on the form of a long lost friend, and before we know it we’ve run through every excuse why we haven’t done the very thing God has called us to do. When we begin with what we have, God will give us what we need but friend, we have to begin. We have to make the jump, call that friend, apply for that job, post that video, write that blog, start that hobby, or whatever THAT is for you. You can be scared and do it anyway. You can not know how it will end and begin. As Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.”