Is He Worthy... or Is it Worth it?
By Heather PenningtonIs
Our time in Tijuana, Mexico was filled with lessons—some joyful, some challenging, and some that we are still processing. As our team served, learned, prayed, and stepped outside of our normal routines, one question continued to rise to the surface: Are we asking, “Is it worth it?” when perhaps the better question is, “Is He worthy?” Because those are two very different questions. “Is it worth it?” causes us to measure the cost. “Is He worthy?” causes us to look at Christ. And when we truly look at who He is, the answer changes everything.
The importance of missions was deeply rooted in our team, along with the truth that, God has an agenda, and He has a plan for each of us within it. Jesus' great commissioning words in Matthew 28 were, in many ways, His final charge to His followers: Go. Make disciples. We are called to be Christ's ambassadors—His representatives in the world.
An ambassador represents the one who has sent them and acts as a bridge between those they are sent to and the one who has sent them. We are heralds of the King. The Greek word kerux refers to a herald or messenger—someone sent with an important proclamation. As followers of Jesus, we carry the greatest message the world has ever known. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and then He called His Church to continue His mission.
But being sent doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will move across the world. We are all a sent people. For some, that calling may lead to another country. For others, the mission field may be their home, workplace, school, neighbourhood, or community. The question is not always, “Where will God send me?” Sometimes the question is simply: “Where has God already placed me, and am I willing to be faithful there?”
Not every lesson we learned in Mexico was easy. The day before our team was scheduled to leave, one of our team members became seriously ill and was unable to join us—after faithfully preparing, sacrificing, and looking forward to the trip for months… It was a tremendous disappointment. And yet, even in that disappointment, we were reminded that our trust is not in our plans but in the Lord. Sometimes following God means watching our carefully prepared plans change. Sometimes obedience doesn't look like the outcome we expected. But God is still at work. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that He continues to work in and through both our obedience and our disappointment.
We also learned in a deeper way that living in a culture of abundance requires an intentional, daily decision not to allow comfort to become an idol. Comfort itself isn't evil. Rest is good. Blessings are gifts from God. But comfort can quietly become dangerous when our greatest goal becomes avoiding inconvenience, sacrifice, risk, or discomfort. Comfort culture drifts & ease erodes conviction. It is easy to settle for a life that is comfortable when God may be calling us into something far greater. Don't settle for so little in comfort when God has something so much better for you. There is a world that desperately needs the hope of Jesus. And perhaps one of the greatest questions we must ask ourselves is: What am I willing to give up in order to be obedient? Because following Jesus has always cost something.
During our time in Mexico, one statement deeply challenged me: “Are we going to die in our religion, or are we going to die in our devotion?” Religion can become comfortable. We can attend church. Learn the language. Sing the songs. Know the Scriptures. And yet never truly allow our devotion to Jesus to move us into obedience. Devotion changes us. Devotion says: “Jesus, my life is Yours.” Scripture reminds us that we are not our own, but we are called to honour God with our lives.
In John 21, Jesus simply says: “Follow me.” There is something powerful about those two words. Follow Me. I want to show you where I want you to go. God doesn't always give us the entire map. Often, He simply asks us to take the next faithful step, and Scripture reminds us: “God is working in you, to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil 2:13
We have all been given something to offer. Our abilities. Our passions. Our talents. Our resources. Our time. But ultimately, all we truly have to offer is ourselves. So we must develop ourselves through spiritual rhythms, time in God's Word, prayer, worship, and by intentionally surrounding ourselves with the right influences. And when we step beyond fear and comfort and follow His will, we realize we get to share in our Master’s joy. We saw that sending is being part of missions.
Missionary William Carey famously said: “I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope.” We need people willing to go down into the pit, and we need people willing to faithfully hold the rope. Both are essential. Both matter. And both are part of the Kingdom work.
During our team's time in Mexico, we sacrificed a little time, a little sleep, some finances, and some comfort. But what we gained by being in His will far outweighed any of it and will remain with us for a lifetime.
So perhaps the question is not: “Is it worth it?” Perhaps the better question is: “Is He worthy of my sacrifice?” Because when everything we do is for the Kingdom and for His glory, the distractions, hardships, and discouragement begin to fall into their proper place. We can press on toward the task God has set before us.
So wherever God has called you—to go, to give, to serve, to stay, to send, or simply to faithfully love the people He has already placed in front of you—don't ask only: “Is it worth it?” Lift your eyes to Jesus and ask: Is He Worthy? And when we truly see the King for who He is, the answer will always be: Yes. He is worthy.
With joy,
Heather
Our time in Tijuana, Mexico was filled with lessons—some joyful, some challenging, and some that we are still processing. As our team served, learned, prayed, and stepped outside of our normal routines, one question continued to rise to the surface: Are we asking, “Is it worth it?” when perhaps the better question is, “Is He worthy?” Because those are two very different questions. “Is it worth it?” causes us to measure the cost. “Is He worthy?” causes us to look at Christ. And when we truly look at who He is, the answer changes everything.
The importance of missions was deeply rooted in our team, along with the truth that, God has an agenda, and He has a plan for each of us within it. Jesus' great commissioning words in Matthew 28 were, in many ways, His final charge to His followers: Go. Make disciples. We are called to be Christ's ambassadors—His representatives in the world.
An ambassador represents the one who has sent them and acts as a bridge between those they are sent to and the one who has sent them. We are heralds of the King. The Greek word kerux refers to a herald or messenger—someone sent with an important proclamation. As followers of Jesus, we carry the greatest message the world has ever known. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and then He called His Church to continue His mission.
But being sent doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will move across the world. We are all a sent people. For some, that calling may lead to another country. For others, the mission field may be their home, workplace, school, neighbourhood, or community. The question is not always, “Where will God send me?” Sometimes the question is simply: “Where has God already placed me, and am I willing to be faithful there?”
Not every lesson we learned in Mexico was easy. The day before our team was scheduled to leave, one of our team members became seriously ill and was unable to join us—after faithfully preparing, sacrificing, and looking forward to the trip for months… It was a tremendous disappointment. And yet, even in that disappointment, we were reminded that our trust is not in our plans but in the Lord. Sometimes following God means watching our carefully prepared plans change. Sometimes obedience doesn't look like the outcome we expected. But God is still at work. We may not always understand what He is doing, but we can trust that He continues to work in and through both our obedience and our disappointment.
We also learned in a deeper way that living in a culture of abundance requires an intentional, daily decision not to allow comfort to become an idol. Comfort itself isn't evil. Rest is good. Blessings are gifts from God. But comfort can quietly become dangerous when our greatest goal becomes avoiding inconvenience, sacrifice, risk, or discomfort. Comfort culture drifts & ease erodes conviction. It is easy to settle for a life that is comfortable when God may be calling us into something far greater. Don't settle for so little in comfort when God has something so much better for you. There is a world that desperately needs the hope of Jesus. And perhaps one of the greatest questions we must ask ourselves is: What am I willing to give up in order to be obedient? Because following Jesus has always cost something.
During our time in Mexico, one statement deeply challenged me: “Are we going to die in our religion, or are we going to die in our devotion?” Religion can become comfortable. We can attend church. Learn the language. Sing the songs. Know the Scriptures. And yet never truly allow our devotion to Jesus to move us into obedience. Devotion changes us. Devotion says: “Jesus, my life is Yours.” Scripture reminds us that we are not our own, but we are called to honour God with our lives.
In John 21, Jesus simply says: “Follow me.” There is something powerful about those two words. Follow Me. I want to show you where I want you to go. God doesn't always give us the entire map. Often, He simply asks us to take the next faithful step, and Scripture reminds us: “God is working in you, to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Phil 2:13
We have all been given something to offer. Our abilities. Our passions. Our talents. Our resources. Our time. But ultimately, all we truly have to offer is ourselves. So we must develop ourselves through spiritual rhythms, time in God's Word, prayer, worship, and by intentionally surrounding ourselves with the right influences. And when we step beyond fear and comfort and follow His will, we realize we get to share in our Master’s joy. We saw that sending is being part of missions.
Missionary William Carey famously said: “I will go down into the pit, if you will hold the rope.” We need people willing to go down into the pit, and we need people willing to faithfully hold the rope. Both are essential. Both matter. And both are part of the Kingdom work.
During our team's time in Mexico, we sacrificed a little time, a little sleep, some finances, and some comfort. But what we gained by being in His will far outweighed any of it and will remain with us for a lifetime.
So perhaps the question is not: “Is it worth it?” Perhaps the better question is: “Is He worthy of my sacrifice?” Because when everything we do is for the Kingdom and for His glory, the distractions, hardships, and discouragement begin to fall into their proper place. We can press on toward the task God has set before us.
So wherever God has called you—to go, to give, to serve, to stay, to send, or simply to faithfully love the people He has already placed in front of you—don't ask only: “Is it worth it?” Lift your eyes to Jesus and ask: Is He Worthy? And when we truly see the King for who He is, the answer will always be: Yes. He is worthy.
With joy,
Heather