Being on staff full-time at a church has its perks.  Yes, I consider it a perk.  It’s a great honor, in fact.

Spending time in the presence of these men, women, and the children who sacrifice so much has left an indelible impression on me.  It’s a choice, after all.  They don’t have to do what they do. 

A calling will do that to a person.  It becomes a passion.  Then you begin to wonder, what if they never went?  What would become of the people whose lives they affect on a day-to-day basis?  What if they just stayed around and lived the average, expected life. 

That kind of questioning is something you just can’t shake off.

When you’re driven to do something, to follow a passion, especially for God, your life becomes almost unbearable until you finally just give in to.  The consequence of a life unlived can be torturous to a soul.  Always left wondering.  Always asking, “What if?”

It really isn’t that complex.  You only get to do this once.  Live, that is.  Why waste it?

Sometimes that’s easier said than done.  At least we tend to think so.  Life happens.  People die.  Jobs are lost.  Even in the midst of pursing your call.  Sometimes you just have to do, what you have to do to carry on and survive.

It bears asking, at what cost are you willing to pursue your call… your passion for God?  Jesus did it all the way to the cross.  It cost His life.  But what would have become of us had he not pursued his call on this earth?  His choice was for us, even in the face of death.

Just how far are you willing to go?  Just what will you give up?  Your call could be simple.  It could be raising one child up to make a real difference in this world.  It could be raising a multitude of leaders up to reach just one.

Whatever it may be, I urge you, pursue it, and never give up.  Never give in.  Look deep within your passion.  It’s not always easily achieved, but it's always well worth the cost.