Nobody Said it Was Easy

One of the questions asked often in my house is, “How are you, really?”

I live in a home of driven women. There have been 18 of us over the last 4 years and every one of them have been ambitious and have been earnestly seeking what God is doing around them. We desire to be a part of the story that God continues to write in our communities.

It turns out… this isn’t an easy life.

Being about what I want to be about and asking God to join into that is a lot easier.

One night my room mate Kara exclaimed,

“Nobody said it was easy, but nobody said it would be this hard.”

She then chirped that this would be a great song lyric – to which another room mate let her know… it already was.

Thank you Coldplay.

But there is a reason this statement resonates:

There is a part of all of us that would love it if life was easier.

We seek after what is comfortable because of the reality that LIFE IS HARD.

Life on mission can be one of the most challenging lives to live.

It FORCES us out of our comfort zone on nearly a daily basis.

Our comfort addiction is one of the most universal barriers to mission.

My boyfriend often says as we talk about trying to follow God in our lives, “If it was easy – everyone would do it.”

Perhaps acknowledging that life on mission if often difficult, is a reality check we need to have.

Stepping out of denial is a good step right?

But then what? How can we sustain living a life that is anything but easy?

You may be experiencing a more difficult road then you need to be.

If you think that may be you, ask these questions:

1. Are you sure you are making space to listen to God?

When we are looking for what God is doing and wanting to participate – we can easily feel overwhelmed. There are so many things we could do when we care about what God cares about.

Jesus says, my sheep hear my voice and they follow me.

Chances are – we step into areas where we can serve and love others more because it is a good thing to do, rather than relying on God to lead us towards only what GOD has for us.

No more, no less.

2. Do you have a team?

There is no account where Jesus sent anyone out to participate in mission by themselves.

The New Testament is full of stories of people trying to discern what God is leading as a group.

Not as individuals.

When I have felt overwhelmed with trying to discern I realize it’s because I am trying to do it on my own.

These are the people who ask you, “How are you, really?”. The people who you are honest with the answer.

3. Is there something in your life holding you back?

There are areas of our life that we know God doesn’t want for us. We often miss how these sins, or missteps are holding us back. The writer of Hebrews says sin hinders us and easily entangles us like a runner trying to run a race with something wrapping around his ankles.

You are created to run freely and lightly – it may still take all you have.

But lets face those areas in life that are causing unnecessary resistance as we live a life on mission. Find some accountability and face this reality so that you can experience freedom.

Nobody said it was easy, nobody said it would be this hard.

But nobody said we couldn’t do things just because they are hard.

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!

Hebrews 12 – The Message