Is This the Good Life?
I (Brenna) remember standing in my little apartment near the Arizona-Mexico border, newly engaged, as Adam’s words hung in the air: “Maybe I should pursue something more practical and stable since we’re going to have a family someday…”
That question sparked a conversation that would shape the rest of our lives.
Even then—before we had kids or a clear path ahead—we decided that telling others about God, especially those who might not otherwise hear, was the best thing we could do for our family. Even if it meant more risk and less comfort, we wanted our future kids to grow up seeing that the Kingdom is worth giving everything for.
Now that we’re getting close to moving overseas (God willing), we feel the weight of that decision in a new way.
Because now we do have kids.
The Real Risks We Face
As we prepare to go, the risks are real:
But are any of these risks truly riskier than the life we’re tempted to build here—one centered on comfort, self-preservation, and personal desires—while quietly distracting us from the Kingdom of God? (Luke 8:14)
What Is “The Good Life,” Really?
In You Are What You Love, James K. A. Smith writes: “Whether we’re entrepreneurs launching a tech start-up or first-time parents starting a family, our ‘creative’ work as human beings made in God’s image is sort of pulled out of us by our attraction to a vision of the good life.”
He then goes on to describe a French film in which two characters are brought to a mysterious room. If they step across the threshold, they’ll receive whatever their heart most desires. But once they arrive, neither of them steps forward—unsure that what they think they want is what they truly desire.
That image gave me pause.
If I stepped into such a room, would it reveal my family surrounded by friends in home that reflects “us,” all enjoying good health and the relative comfort and safety the Western world seems to promise—or would it be God’s Name to the ends of the earth?
What Version of the Good Life Are You Living Toward?
Over the years, I’ve come to see how easily my own vision of the good life can drift toward comfort—and away from joining Him in spreading His Kingdom on earth.
This isn’t about missionaries or moving overseas.
It’s not about where we go. It’s about what version of the good life we’re actively working toward.
What would the way I spend my time, talent, and money reveal?
Am I building God’s Kingdom—or my own?
Spreading His goodness in the world so others can flourish—or focusing on my own flourishing?
Because following Jesus means thinking of our desires less, and the needs of others more.
It means living open-handed and spreading His goodness—whether we’re flying into remote villages or faithfully loving neighbors in our own backyard.
Will Your Life Reflect His Kingdom—or Your Own?
In the moments when the risks feel heavy or my heart drifts toward comfort, I’m thankful for the clarity God gave us years ago.
There have been so many times we’ve invested in our own kingdom and version of flourishing—and I’m thankful for the way He keeps gently pulling our hearts back to His version of the good life.
A life where real flourishing doesn’t come from protecting what’s ours, but from living open-handed.
Where His Kingdom is worth more than our comfort or desires—and our kids get to see that with their own eyes.
We’d love to invite you to pause and pray about your own life:
Is the way you’re spending your time, talents, and finances building God’s Kingdom—or your own?
Is it creating the best version of the good life—not just for you and your family, but for those who still haven’t heard His name?
I (Brenna) remember standing in my little apartment near the Arizona-Mexico border, newly engaged, as Adam’s words hung in the air: “Maybe I should pursue something more practical and stable since we’re going to have a family someday…”
That question sparked a conversation that would shape the rest of our lives.
Even then—before we had kids or a clear path ahead—we decided that telling others about God, especially those who might not otherwise hear, was the best thing we could do for our family. Even if it meant more risk and less comfort, we wanted our future kids to grow up seeing that the Kingdom is worth giving everything for.
Now that we’re getting close to moving overseas (God willing), we feel the weight of that decision in a new way.
Because now we do have kids.
The Real Risks We Face
As we prepare to go, the risks are real:
- Mosquitoes that carry disease.
- Limited infrastructure and medical access.
- Natural disasters we don’t think much about here.
- And the daily reality that Adam will be flying in and out of remote areas as a pilot.
But are any of these risks truly riskier than the life we’re tempted to build here—one centered on comfort, self-preservation, and personal desires—while quietly distracting us from the Kingdom of God? (Luke 8:14)
What Is “The Good Life,” Really?
In You Are What You Love, James K. A. Smith writes: “Whether we’re entrepreneurs launching a tech start-up or first-time parents starting a family, our ‘creative’ work as human beings made in God’s image is sort of pulled out of us by our attraction to a vision of the good life.”
He then goes on to describe a French film in which two characters are brought to a mysterious room. If they step across the threshold, they’ll receive whatever their heart most desires. But once they arrive, neither of them steps forward—unsure that what they think they want is what they truly desire.
That image gave me pause.
If I stepped into such a room, would it reveal my family surrounded by friends in home that reflects “us,” all enjoying good health and the relative comfort and safety the Western world seems to promise—or would it be God’s Name to the ends of the earth?
What Version of the Good Life Are You Living Toward?
Over the years, I’ve come to see how easily my own vision of the good life can drift toward comfort—and away from joining Him in spreading His Kingdom on earth.
This isn’t about missionaries or moving overseas.
It’s not about where we go. It’s about what version of the good life we’re actively working toward.
What would the way I spend my time, talent, and money reveal?
Am I building God’s Kingdom—or my own?
Spreading His goodness in the world so others can flourish—or focusing on my own flourishing?
Because following Jesus means thinking of our desires less, and the needs of others more.
It means living open-handed and spreading His goodness—whether we’re flying into remote villages or faithfully loving neighbors in our own backyard.
Will Your Life Reflect His Kingdom—or Your Own?
In the moments when the risks feel heavy or my heart drifts toward comfort, I’m thankful for the clarity God gave us years ago.
There have been so many times we’ve invested in our own kingdom and version of flourishing—and I’m thankful for the way He keeps gently pulling our hearts back to His version of the good life.
A life where real flourishing doesn’t come from protecting what’s ours, but from living open-handed.
Where His Kingdom is worth more than our comfort or desires—and our kids get to see that with their own eyes.
We’d love to invite you to pause and pray about your own life:
Is the way you’re spending your time, talents, and finances building God’s Kingdom—or your own?
Is it creating the best version of the good life—not just for you and your family, but for those who still haven’t heard His name?
