Eugene is NOT the "cool thing"

So I've heard some people lately talking about how moving out to Eugene is the cool thing to do now.  I really don't like the language.  Let me say right off the bat, this is not easy and please don't move here just because you think it is cool.

Secondly, please pray for this area as an option if God is dealing with your heart about being on the mission field.  We need more people taking the Gospel to the city of Eugene.  God is at work here and we are excited to be a part of it, but we do need more people in the battlefield with us.

If you take a look at 2 Timothy chapter 2 I think we can see why coming out here or following Christ is not the "cool" or easy or fun thing to do.  It is fulfilling and brings glory to God and obedient.  Check this scripture out.

 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.


2 Timothy 2:3-7

We are called to share in suffering.  The group that has moved here has not suffered by being beaten or stoned as Paul has.  The suffering comes about when the group gives up selfish ambition.  Everyone that has moved is working a job making less that before they moved.  The group sold cars and houses to get out here.  Many of the group gave up the success they had in their occupation to dedicate themselves to the mission field.  We have left friends and family thousands of miles away.  This is not easy and it does not feel "cool".

Paul makes 3 examples I would like to point out.  These should be examples of how we live our life and they have motivated me to chase God, even here to Eugene.  First he says we should be like a soldier that does not get entangled in civilian pursuits.  This is saying that we should give up worldly desires and seek to just plain please God with our lives.  When we are more obedient and give up more and more of our lives for the Gospel then we find ourselves sharing in the sufferings as good soldiers.

Next he challenges Timothy to be like an athlete.  As an athlete I realize that strict dedication to the rules and to the sport are the only way to succeed.  The same is true in our spiritual walk.  We must be obedient to Christ and to the way he has paved for us to ever really experience success.  To be a really great football player you can't worry about how good your going to be at Volleyball and vice versa.  To really chase God you cannot chase anything else.

Last Paul uses the picture of a farmer.  We had a large garden growing up and the fact of the matter is that hard work produces productive farms.  You can't just throw some seeds on the ground and expect things to happen.  You can't just flippantly say you follow Jesus and expect Him to be pleased.

I moved out here because I was comfortable and needed to be stretched.  I needed to suffer some for Christ and again it's not been near the level that others have suffered.  I trust God will continue to call me in deeper fellowship and deeper sharing of suffering with Him.  I'm beginning to understand that losing our life for Jesus really means not chasing the comforts and stuff of this world and just chasing Him.  My pursuit lead me here, to Eugene.

If your pursuit leads you to minister with us then we are so excited, but please, don't be disillusioned.  This is not the "cool thing".  God is.