I want to follow Jesus... I know this is what most of us are saying. We all truly want to follow Jesus we are just struggling with what following Him actually costs. Our intentions are pure and good but as Jesus said to the disciples "the flesh is weak", because it's still here getting in the way.
Watching others follow Him wholeheartedly is beautiful, powerful. We love the stories and say yes I want that. Often we forget or just don't realize the cost, the sacrifice that was made for them to get to that place.
As Gabby and I have thought through our transition to serve Britt and Audrey Hancock and their ministry Mountain Gateway we have been extremely humbled. The Hancock family, since 1989 when they heard the call of Jesus to go into a foreign country to minister to some of the most remote villages of Mexico, have laid it all down to do just that. Enduring the hardest of circumstances to where it could be said of them what we find in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10
"But in all things we commend ourselves as ministers of God; in much patience, in tribulations, in needs, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in fastings; by purity, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things."
They have remained faithful and true to the One who can keep them and help them overcome and bring salvation to the multitudes. For this we are extremely grateful. The ministry platform they have formed is one of purity and humility, and we have been given the honor to step up onto and continue the road marked out for us. The Hancocks had given everything then and it is as if it is all being handed to us on a silver platter. And by no means does this mean we have it easy and there is no longer a cost for us for we all have a price that we get to pay for what Jesus has done for us. Britt and Audrey has shown us the way of righteousness, holiness, and faithfulness.
The Hancocks are not the only ones who have lived such sacrificial lives. We have become great friends with Eric and Ginny Hanson who for 15 years have established a healthy and vibrant ministry in the nation of Cambodia in which our hearts are broken for. They are just a few we know personally who stand with so many who have followed closely to Jesus through the ages.
I want to truly follow Jesus. I want to give it all. Not for a name, money, or cool stuff that some thinking following Him will get them. I desire to follow Him for the fact that those who have learned to draw near and obey have truly made Him their "exceedingly great reward" (Genesis 15:1). I want to know God in so well that I am not too surprised when I see Him face to face if possible. There is freedom in letting go of the things of this world. Jesus said Himself "Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing." (Matthew 6:25)
The past few months I have been talking with God about John 12:20-28. It is one of those conversations recorded where Jesus is asked a question and it seems like He ignores the question and starts talking about what is on His mind. (We all know someone who does that right?) Anyways, Holy Spirit has helped me understand that Jesus answered the question according the bigger picture as He always does. In a few days Jesus is about to go to the cross and He knows the one time meeting with these guys is not going to be enough for them. And His response is v.26 "If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also". Jesus is saying to His disciples and ultimately to us all if we want to find Jesus the road He traveled, the road less traveled is the way we must go. That road is marked with sacrifice, humility, obedience, love and most importantly the cross and the grave. Over and over again through the gospels Jesus says if anyone desires to come after me, or be close to me they must take up their cross and walk the road I have walked. Live the life I lived. Deny yourself and die.
Gabby and I came to this reality a few months before we got the call to join Mountain Gateway. Our dream to step into missions had to die. We recognized, on our own we will never amount to anything and have any impact for the Kingdom of God. Therefore, we laid it all in the grave and got up on the cross and said Jesus we are going only where you are going. The road Jesus takes is glorious, it results in Resurrection. We need God's resurrection power flowing through our everything. When we take it all to the grave our dreams and desires are raised up in His perfect timing and given resurrection life, power, and perfection. And that is what we desire.
If anyone, that includes everyone, desires to come after Jesus He says deny yourself, take up your cross, and walk the beautiful road of obedience, sacrifice, and freedom. Only by His power can you walk it and endure to the end.
No one has made it when they have stepped into a position of full time missions, a pastoral role, even a good non-profit. We know we've made it when we can confidently stand before Jesus and say I laid it all down, I obeyed the call you gave me, and I leaned in to You as close as I could in order to be satisfied by You and You alone in every job, circumstance, financial position, and city I found myself in. I love a song Cory Asbury has been singing for some time now. The Chorus simply says "In every season of my life Lord, I will respond with love for you." That is the goal and joy, peace, and life is found there. Jesus Himself is found there.
We ask that you join us in this journey right where you are. Stay connected with us and sign up for our newsletter which we will use to send you emails concerning our blog updates, detailed information on our transition, and what is happening amongst the missionaries and work of Mountain Gateway.
