Don’t look back, or you’ll never get on that plane, I told my 25-year-old self as I walked down the jet-ramp to leave for the Philippines for the first time.

I had just said goodbye to my mom, dad, and other family and friends. I knew I wouldn’t see them again for at least three years (there was no FaceTime back then), and it was painful!

More often than not, obedience to Christ comes with a cost. Saying yes to His call means saying no to other things. That’s why Jesus said we must die to ourselves in order to follow Him.

If we’re talking about making disciples among the unreached, saying yes to missions could mean saying no to a comfortable life in America. Or a lucrative, five-year career trajectory. Or a white picket fence and a minivan.

Yes, obedience to Christ comes with a cost.

But what I learned that day in 1984 — and what I’m still learning on the various jet-ramps of my life today — is that obedience also comes with great gain.

When we choose to believe God and act in faith, we do so with:

• Trust in the character of God
  He will do what He pleases among the nations. We will never be out of His sight, no matter where we plant our feet, because He never sleeps nor slumbers. And He is sovereign to perfect all things that concern you and me. (Psalm 115:3; 121:4; 138:8)
  
  
• Assurance in the promises of God
  He is faithful to His word, and He will fulfill everything He has said. His promise, “I am with you always,” is as true today as it was when He said it to the disciples 2,000 years ago. (1 Thess. 5:24; Matt. 28:20)
  
  
• Confidence in the authority of God
  It’s in His authority that we go to make disciples of all nations. It’s with the power of the Holy Spirit that we are His witnesses. No matter how the odds may stack against us, Jesus reigns, and He has sent us as the Father sent Him. (Matt. 28:19; Acts 1:8)
  
  
• Boldness in the transforming power of the gospel
  It is the power of God for salvation to all who believe. Our message is His message, and it will accomplish the work He assigns it to do. (Romans 1:16, 2 Cor. 5:20)

If God is moving in your spirit to be a disciple-maker among the least-reached, say yes! Walk down that jet-ramp and don’t look back. Say no to the good-but-not-best things. Acknowledge the cost but be confident of what you gain.

If you’d like to talk about the jet-ramp decisions in your life, talk to a Crossworld recruiter.

Mark Silvers served with Crossworld in the Philippines for 10 years and joined the home office staff as Director of Mobilization in 2009. Mark’s driving passion is to reach the 3.2 billion people in the world today with no access to the gospel.