When we felt the Lord calling us to global work, we talked about that calling with family, friends, pastors, and mentors, not sure of what it might look like or how long we may serve globally. While everyone has been very supportive over the years, some are still vocal about us leaving and going so far away. 

“We need good pastors here.” 

“You have family members who don’t yet believe.” 

“I know a church that would love to have you on staff.” 

It’s obvious those comments are coming from a place of sadness. Those that care for us are grieving having to let us go and grieving their hopes and dreams that will no longer include us. We get sad, too, and grieve many things, such as our children being far from cousins, missing occasions like birthdays and graduations, job opportunities with set salaries, not having to worry about visas, being able to help our parents, and consistent sunny, bright days. While I understand that this grief and its complications are very normal, it challenges my faithfulness to our calling. 

When I was reading Acts 21 the other day, I easily related to Paul in verse 13 when he says, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart?” Paul has been compelled by the Spirit to go to Jerusalem all the while knowing that difficulty and possibly death await him there (Acts 20:22-24), and his traveling companions and fellow believers continually beg him not to go (Acts 20:37-38; 21:4, 10-14). It is heartbreaking, but Paul remains steadfast in his calling. 

Sadness over our losses as well as many other things in life will tempt us from remaining faithful to the journey God is calling us on. But let us take courage from Paul who focused on completing the task Jesus gave him to do (Acts 20:24) even while his heart was breaking with those who loved him.