The Cost of God’s Best Story for You

“Your homework this week is to seek out difficult conversations.”

My life coach had built me up and helped me pull out my mission statement, but then she left me with those jarring words.  Not only did she want me to respond boldly to difficult conversations that accidentally crossed my path- she wanted me to PURSUE difficult.

Here I wanted to pursue my purpose, my passion, my potential- and she sent me straight to painful.  (At least painfully awkward.)

But the strange thing is, I accepted her challenge with the kind of exhilaration you feel right before you head down a rollercoaster.  Part of me was more than apprehensive, but the other part was so liberated that I was about to conquer a fear and ride it out all the way to the end of the line.

Granted the conversations that scare me might not scare you.  I’m afraid of baby tough conversations like, “You owe me $10” and “You got my order wrong” much less the conversations where someone I might make someone angry or lose a friend ……………………………………………

………………woah…sorry guys, I stressed myself into a blackout there for a minute.  😉

But my life coach was very clear that I would discover so much freedom in my horizon if I could let go of a fear of what people think, and the constant fear of offending or annoying people.

The path to our freedom is always through our fear. 

God wants to tell an amazing story through our lives.  But I’m here to tell you what God is slowly teaching me- our best story comes at a price.  The best story God wants to write through you will always cost you something precious.

It might be hours and hours of time you didn’t possibly think you could spare; it might be the surrender you learn through a diagnosis or a loss; it might be ridicule or misunderstandings with people you love as you chase what God’s called you to; maybe it’s loneliness, poverty, or a season of waiting that you can’t see the end of.

But it is going to be a glorious story, and make no mistake it will be worth it.  The question is, are we willing to surrender to the amazing story our Author wants to write?  Or will we give up, sit down, hide along the way?

In Luke 14:28-30 Jesus reminds us to consider the cost of our faith journey:

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’”

God wants to work with us to build something so valuable that He asks us to truly consider whether we’re all in before we start out.  This is eternity stuff.  This requires grit.  These stories He wants to write through us will break chains and liberate captives.  But they aren’t easy stories and they will require us to confront our fears over and over again.

But if we persevere…!!

God penned His most breathtaking story of glory and redemption by writing Himself alone and rejected on a cross.  Words can’t describe the weight of the cost of His story.  Yet Jesus CHOSE the story because the ENDING was worth it.  Paul challenges us to run hard after God’s race for us by harnessing the perspective of Jesus:

“…let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,  fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

You best story has immeasurable joy waiting at the end.  But in order to reach that end, we must throw off what hinders us, run with perseverance, endure opposition, and count the cost.

Running our race is a life-long process.  Don’t beat yourself up if you still struggle with doubts, if you’re barely hanging in there right now, or if you’re becoming weary.  But be encouraged that when you face difficulties, God is at work and He’s creating a story through your difficult obedience that you never saw coming.

ACTION STEPS THIS WEEK:

1. Ask yourself if you’re avoiding a difficult area in your life that is ultimately holding you back from the full story God wants to write through you.  Consider the cost of confronting that area and ask God to show you how to take a step through that fear.

OR

         Maybe you’re in the middle of a long or difficult season and you feel you’re losing heart.  My action step for you this week is to take               some time to remind yourself of the vision God has given you- the reason you’re persevering to begin with.  Ask God to help you                  envision “the joy set before you” and give you strength to run the race through Him.

2. Find someone to share your vision or burden with and ask them to pray with you and help you stay strong.

(As always, I love when YOU share your story here to encourage and challenge others.  I can’t wait to hear what beautiful story God is writing as you walk with Him.)