Mark 10:29-30 “And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”
I had ministered in the Philippines, and was sitting alone in the Hong Kong airport, reading my Bible. These Scriptures just jumped off the pages, and ministered to me so beautifully. I had counted the cost of saying “Yes” to Jesus and His call a long time ago, and that day in the airport, the Lord was reminding me of the reward that comes from having done so.
I began to reflect on all of the great blessings I had received since arriving in Ecuador. Yes, there have been persecutions and battles, but oh, the victories and the recompense have far outweighed those! I have never lacked for any necessity. Never missed a meal, albeit maybe it was only a 10 cent piece of bread. I have a peaceful home to live in (maybe the water is out or the electricity is down for days on end, there’s no A/C, but it’s what I call my refuge.) I have beautiful churches on properties that belong to us, all debt free, everything paid for. I have beautiful Ecuadorians, whom I call family, that love and appreciate me. I have been given sons and daughters in the faith and those precious people all call me their “Spiritual Mother.” I have been kept safe in every dangerous situation I’ve entered. I have been covered by His wings of protection. Every river I have crossed, the waters did not overtake me. Every fiery trial that I’ve walked through, I came out unscathed. Nothing has been lacking in 20 years on the field. Oh, you might call them sacrifices, but one discovers there is so much ‘stuff’ you can live without. As Paul said in 1 Timothy 6:8, “Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content.” And that I am!
The Lord surely has fulfilled the word that He spoke in Mark. He has given me 100 times more in this present life. And I know that the best is still yet to come, eternal life with Him one glorious day! So I remind you today, it might cost you something, but it truly is worth it all to say “YES” to Jesus!
