Torie's faith was tested when she had to choose between growing old in sunny Florida or following God's call to move to Utah. Find out what she did.
Really, God?
It’s easy to say Jesus is better. But to really live like it? Now, that is the real test.
In the spring of last year, God laid it on my husband’s heart to pursue full-time ministry…in Utah.
My entire adult life has been spent in warm, sunny Florida. It’s home. There are pretty beaches. And southern hospitality. And did I mention warm beaches? Our family is here. Our church family and friends are here. My children’s best friends are here.
When I pictured our future, I pictured us planting roots and watching grandkids play in the yard our kids play in now.
But God has a way of making us uncomfortable. Not in a “let me do this to you” kind of way. But in an “I want to use you to further my kingdom. I want to grow you and sanctify you. Are you willing to give up everything to partner with me in sharing the gospel?” kind of way.
God’s call for my family to move Utah invited me to pull out not only the winter clothes buried deep in storage bins but also the idols and expectations I clung to so tightly.
This move would change everything about our lives. So, even I laid my heart out before God, I still fought it.
I wrestled. I cried. I begged. I justified. I pleaded for another way.
Can I just stay here and minister to my current community? And yes, of course, I could.
We are all called to share the gospel in our everyday lives, in our coming and going. But the harvest is plenty, and the workers are few.
For my family in particular, God reminded us that there are people in Utah ready to hear and respond to the gospel message, but there are not enough people giving up their comfort to go.
When I pictured our future, I pictured us planting roots and watching grandkids play in the yard our kids play in now.
A Change in Heart
My resistance to God came to a head at Revelation Wellness’ Rest and Rebuild Retreat in 2023.
By no coincidence, we sang, “Goodness of God” repeatedly throughout the week. There is a line in the song that says, “With my life laid down, I surrender now. I give you everything.”
Oof. That hit close to home.
I couldn’t even bring myself to sing the words the first time it was sung during worship. My mouth wanted to, but my heart was not there.
But in God’s kindness, He didn’t shame me for my double-heartedness. He met me where I was, and for the remainder of the week, God and I wrestled A LOT!
By the end of the weekend, the Lord did a work in my heart. I could not deny the calling He had for our family in ministry.
Jesus is better.
Your Turn
As you meditate on this theme, you may realize it is challenging to actually live out. You may wrestle with it like I do. How could Jesus be better than my comfort, my family, my hopes, and my dreams?
Because Jesus is the only perfect one. He gives perfect peace, love, and joy. He provides for our needs. He always keeps His promises and will never forsake us. He suffered and died so that we wouldn’t take that punishment for ourselves.
And yes, other things can be temporarily satisfying and can be gifts from God, but they aren’t the ultimate gift because they will never truly satisfy. Only Jesus can.
Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Have you seen His faithfulness? Have you been rescued? Have you experienced His goodness? Don’t keep it for yourself. Don’t hold back. Don’t shrink back.
He is better. And there’s no reason you should be pleased with less than Him. However, your sinful nature likes to fight against that truth.
So, every day, you have to make the choice to fight against your sinful nature. To keep your eyes on Him, even when your comfort seems more desirable.
Let this theme push you and encourage you to cultivate a deeper longing for Jesus. May you never be satisfied with anything less than the presence of God.
Jesus is better.
Torie Bartee is a Lead Instructor for Revelation Wellness. You can find her leading workouts on RWTV and workshops in the RW+ Membership. She also leads women to live healthy and whole from the inside out with Torie Lin Fitness.
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4 Responses
Jesus is better than that goal weight.
Jesus is better than that goal weight.
Amen!
I can completely relate to the article from Torie Bartee, I felt the same way when we were called from our home in California to Florida. Leaving our home we lived in for almost 12 years leaving our church family and our actual family too. It was hard but it has definitely all been to the glory of God. We’re right where we’re supposed to be even if we got to this point through many hills and valleys it was all his design. Had we not left when we did both my husband and I would have been out of work during the pandemic and may have lost everything but God had a plan and we’re so glad we followed him. God is so good!
Thank you for sharing, Oteaka! It’s amazing how God works!