For the Sake of the Gospel

A recent Gospel reading from Mark resonated in my heart. It picks up right after Jesus talks to the rich young man and tells him that he’s lacking in one thing: which is to sell what he has, give it to the poor, and follow Him. 

Then, “Peter began to say to Jesus, ‘We have given up everything and followed you.’

“Jesus said, ‘Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or land for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come'” (Mark 10:28-31).

When we were discerning leaving to serve as foreign missionaries, I felt God was speaking to me personally when He addressed the rich young man. His words moved my heart and I felt a burning desire to take Him at His word and follow Him radically: selling our belongings, leaving our home, and following Him to wherever He was going to lead us as foreign missionaries.

It’s been five years already since we got rid of our belongings and said goodbye to “normal” life to serve with Family Missions Company. In that amount of time, I can tell you that Jesus’ words in today’s gospel are TRUE! We have received “a hundred times more now in this present age!” What we’ve given up by going on mission – as good as it was – cannot even begin to compare to the full and abundant life that God has given us. 

In so many ways I feel like He’s spoiled us! Sometimes when we drive around, I still can’t believe we get to live in such a beautiful place. We have been surrounded by amazing and beautiful people who truly feel like family. We never go without the things we need. Our kids think our humble home is the best house ever, and we get to live and serve together without the demands of the world pulling us apart. It’s not perfect, and we’re not perfect, but I honestly can’t imagine living life or raising kids any other way.