Encouragement When Things Get Tough...

This past week was AmAzInG!!

We started studying the book of Hebrews while camping in the Aussie bush.
During the time up there, we also had our center staff retreat, and so there was well over 200 of us representing 26 nations!!

Hidden Valley Staff Retreat

I found it very refreshing to have a change of learning environment, even if for only a few days.


Hebrews was written to a Jewish-Christian group of believers who were undergoing persecution and on the verge of returning to Judaism to avoid the suffering. This was because they didn't understand the true/ full nature of Christ Jesus and how he is superior to everything in every way - there is just no comparison! 

Through studying this book, I was very challenged on a personal level.
In class, Jonathan (my school leader) talked about applying this book to us today: “We all have gentile backgrounds, so even though the desire to turn back to Judaism isn’t applicable, we need to ask ourselves what we turn to when things get tough?” 

Being a Christian, there are definitely times where I feel tempted to turn back to what I know is easy, especially while living a life in missions. I want to go home to MY country and be with MY family, MY friends, make MY own money, etc. Life without Christ can be so deceiving and look appealing temporarily, but it is no comparison to the life one can inherit through faith in Christ.

“Sometimes life IS really tough – that’s just a fact, but we need to understand that Jesus is worth it and so turn to him rather than what we know is easy.”

Jesus is superior and far more worthy than ANY personal sacrifice I could EVER make.

Just like the original readers, I took great encouragement from studying this book and I know its message will be a key foundation for my life as a whole, but especially so while in missions. 


I hope you feel encouraged to do the same :)


Love and blessings,
Liz