Do You Really Love God?

Our comfort and security often dictate our choices.

The story of George Sisneros stands as a powerful testament to what happens when we truly listen to God's voice.

George's journey began with a simple yet profound question that God asked him while sitting alone in his basement in Colorado, watching football: "Do you love me?" This question, followed by "Do you love me more than your wife?" and "Do you love me more than your children?" led George to a startling realization – he had placed many things, including his beloved Denver Broncos, above his relationship with God.

This awakening moment set George on a path of transformation after a short-term mission trip where George witnessed 200 Guatemalan children worshipping God with unprecedented passion. He felt an undeniable call. Despite having four children and a comfortable life in the United States, George and his wife made the radical decision to uproot their lives and move to a country where basic necessities like running water, hot showers, and reliable electricity are luxuries rather than expectations.

-------------------------

What's Discussed in this Episode?

• The reaction George received from fellow Christians when he announced his decision was significant. His wife's best friend became angry, his friend wrote a letter expressing disapproval, and most heartbreakingly, his mother initially said she would "never forgive" him. These reactions reveal an uncomfortable truth about American Christianity – our faith often remains untested by sacrifice. While we profess devotion to God, many of us struggle with the idea of giving up comfort for the calling. George's experience shows that sometimes the most significant opposition to following God's direction comes from those closest to us, even those who share our faith.
• In Guatemala, George discovered that 75 American dollars could provide substantial resources for local families living in poverty. The stark contrast between American abundance and Guatemalan scarcity became immediately apparent – most locals have no running water, take sponge baths with buckets warmed in the sun, and ration electricity for essential activities only. Yet perhaps most surprising was George's discovery that despite these material limitations, Guatemala's spiritual challenge wasn't a lack of faith but rather an abundance of legalism. Many professing Christians in Guatemala's villages live under the crushing weight of religious rules – believing they must pray three times daily, read the Bible daily, and attend church three times weekly to earn salvation.
• George's ministry's focus has shifted from purely humanitarian efforts to gospel-centered teaching that emphasizes grace over works. Through his academy for boys, George teaches verse-by-verse Bible studies every morning, helping young men build a foundation in Scripture that will guide them throughout life. His goal isn't necessarily to create pastors but to raise men who can lead their future families in knowing, loving, and serving the Lord – not just calling Him Lord but making Him Lord of their lives.

👇🏻 LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE NOW 👇🏻

-----------

FINAL THOUGHTS

George's story challenges us with a profound question: Do we truly love God more than anything else? His experience reveals that genuine faith often requires stepping beyond comfort zones, facing opposition (even from loved ones), and being willing to sacrifice for the sake of obedience. Whether or not we're called to sell everything and move overseas, we all face the same fundamental question: What do we love more than God, and are we willing to surrender it for the sake of following Him? The answer to that question may not lead us all to Guatemala, but it will undoubtedly lead us closer to the heart of authentic Christianity.