The Christian’s path is not always easy. In fact, it can require a great deal of sacrifice. Jesus calls us to a way of life that is defined by self-sacrificial love. We are asked to put others before ourselves. We are asked to pray for our enemies and forgive people who wrong us. We are called to be a generous and compassionate people who love when it is difficult to love. We follow a king who gave up everything for us. And we in turn must be willing to give up everything for him.

I felt that God had put a beautiful vision in my heart…but I faced some unexpected obstacles and a few set-backs that really took the wind out of my sails and made me feel defeated. I began to see all the ways my plans were failing and the vision began to look unlikely to succeed.

But the teacher’s raised eyebrow told me that he wasn’t buying it. “Suuure,” he said before moving on.

He knew. He knew that I had lied. And I felt really ashamed and guilty about that. For the next couple years, I avoided this teacher as much as possible. If I saw him in the halls I would turn the other way or look at the floor.