I once lived in Kansas for about a year and a half.  Before moving to Kansas I had found the beauty of cycling in the mountains of Colorado and the high desert of New Mexico to be awesome.  I was surprised that I would find beauty riding on the flat plains of Kansas.  My favorite time to ride was right before the fields were ready to be harvested.  They were beautiful standing tall blowing in the wind.

I’m learning as each year passes following Christ is not always easy.  I would love for everything to be blissful blessings but reality is what it is and sometimes there is a cost to be paid.  If we really follow the example of Christ and become like him then we would be truly picking up our crosses and following him.  There is a price to be paid.

A few years ago, someone told me I needed to get a “real job.”  He went on to say my life in the ministry was just a hobby.  We’d like for our hobbies to be our jobs but that is not the way it is.  I was speechless after he said that and I tried to defend myself the best I could.  I was going through a very difficult and trying time in my life and this is what he had to offer?  After-all God “led” him to call me about this.  Hmmm.

During that same time, a supporter of mine could see the same things going on in and around my life.  Nothing seemed to be working out… jobs, finances, stress, marriage, the list goes on!  Everything I was trying to do was not working (so it seemed at the time… since then God has answered many of my prayers for myself and others.)  This friend started to quiz me during a phone conversation trying to find out what sin was in my life to cause God not to move forward with me in my family, finances, and ministry.  Hmmm.

Who needs enemies when you’ve got such good family and friends?

Now – I’m not Job by any stretch of the imagination and not trying to put myself in his league… My situation made me think some about Job’s friends.  The road following Jesus is not always paved.  It’s going to have a few pot holes and rough spots even a Hummer can’t get through.  Read Hebrews 11:35b-40.  After reading those verses ask these questions:  Was following Christ for them a hobby? Was there sin in their lives that caused such hardship and death?  Again, I’m not equating myself with them… sounds to me like they got out of the Hummer and starting walking their roads to death.

As God has begun to restore my life, family, and heart for ministry – I get very excited.  I drove across town to work this morning and all I thought about was His goodness and how He has blessed me.  He has given me a great wife and I have the best kids on the planet!  He has given me a great job with tremendous opportunity.  And I have two fantastic small groups I am apart of out of my church.  No, things aren’t perfect in my life.  They never have been nor do I expect them to be.  I still have dreams and aspirations in life… things that will please God and help others.

As I stepped outside today and felt the warm sun and the breeze I was once again reminded of the lyrics of this song.

… You let the fields dance with the wind Will you dance with me?