Cost of a Dream: Who Pays the Price

This past Christmas spent with my family was a very different experience than any of the other holidays in the past.  My mother, sister, brother-in-law, niece, nephew, kids, and husband all sat around a very spacious room.  We had just finished opening presents, a very relational task in my family.  I was taking a moment to drink it in.  It could be a long time before we got to do this again.  As I watched my mother and sister interact with my children tears began to pool in my eyes.

Many times since I was 16 I have dreamed of the mission field, a foreign land in need of God’s word.  My family knew of my dreams of serving overseas.  They have been my cheerleaders through the years, encouraging me, spurring me on, confirming God’s call on my life.  When I was 16 I “counted the cost” of serving overseas.  Over the years I have accepted the cost of leaving all I have ever known to serve a people in need of His word and knowledge of Him.  But as I looked around the room this particular day- when I saw my family interacting and loving one another so deeply my heart broke.  Yes, my dream had come true, and yes I had counted the cost, but really was it my price to pay?  I realized that I was not the only one that was going to have to pay a price.  My family was giving up so much.  My mother will be 8,000 miles from 5 of her 7 grandchildren.  She will be 8,000 miles from 1 of her 2 children.  She will be 8,000 miles from 1 of her 2 sons-in-law.  My sister will be 8,000 miles from her only sister.  My sister will be 8,000 miles from 5 of her nieces and nephews.  All of a sudden it was so clear to me; my family was going to be giving up a lot for a people they did not know.  My children will be moving 8,000 miles away from the only land they have ever known, away from 2 grandmas, 4 aunts, 4 uncles, 11 cousins, a great grandmother, and a great grandfather.  They will leave so many things they love behind.

Colossians 1:6a says, “The same Good News that came to you is going out all over the world.  It is bearing fruit everywhere by changing lives.”

Good News came to me and my husband as young children, and it has come to our children as well.  Our lives have been forever changed by the love of God, Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, and his resurrection so we can have true victory over death.  We are compelled to bring God’s word to anyone who needs it.

2 Corinthians 4:7 says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”

Of course, this treasure we have been entrusted with is in jars of clay, and to God be the glory!  Ultimately, though, the true price was paid by our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 7:23a: “for you were bought with a price.”

And then in Revelation 22:17, “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

We are free!  Jesus paid the price!  And really, in the light of that, I am speechless…without words…wordless.

Wordless by Lauren Daigle

https://www.godtube.com/watch/?v=Y7YKLLNX

There isn’t any fear here
There isn’t any fear in love
When You come, when You come
There isn’t any hurt here
That You don’t overwhelm
When You come, when You come, oh

I am speechless, but I can’t keep quiet
And I am wordless, but I can’t stay silent
Oohooh, oohooh

There isn’t any rush here
So I’m just gonna wait on You
And linger longer oh
‘Cause every time I find You
I’m a little more undone
When You come, when You come

I am speechless, but I can’t keep quiet
And I am wordless, but I can’t stay silent

Oohooh, I’m lost for words to say
Oohooh, You take my breath away
Oohooh, I’m lost for words to say
Oohooh, You take my breath away

Oh, You move me, and I can’t define it
You consume me, and I can’t describe it
Oh, I am speechless, but I can’t keep quiet
And I am wordless, but I can’t stay silent, silent, whoa

Whoa, I’m lost for words to say
Whoa, You take my breath away
Whoa, I’m lost for words to say
Whoa, You take my breath away

There isn’t any fear here
There isn’t any fear in love