“Happiness is not a life without pain, but rather a life in which the pain is traded for a worthy price.”
― Orson Scott Card, Pastwatch: The Redemption of Christopher Columbus

The above quote pretty closely echoes one of my favorite Scripture verses from Hebrews chapter 12

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” ESV

Every worthwhile endeavor has a price tag attached to it. Even VBS (Vacation bible School) which would seem to be all fun and games comes at a cost to the people who would see young lives changed. There is the giving of time, talent and treasure to every Kingdom event in which we involve ourselves. I am no longer surprised by this nor am I disappointed because I remember something else God said in MA 19:29

“everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold3 and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” ESV

As I come upon a very busy weekend of ministry I am happy because I am being allowed to invest in something that will outlast the sun; That is souls brought into the kingdom of God!