Do You Really Love God?

The Journey from Comfort to Calling: A Missionary's Story of Radical Obedience

In a world where comfort and security often dictate our choices, the story of George Cisneros 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: "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 that would eventually lead him and his family to sell everything – their beautiful home, cars, businesses, and the American dream – to become missionaries in Guatemala. The decision wasn't made lightly, but 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 particularly striking about George's story is the reaction he received from fellow Christians when he announced his decision. His wife's best friend became angry, his own 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 calling. George's experience shows that sometimes the greatest 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.

This revelation shaped George's ministry focus 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 up 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.

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 certainly lead us closer to the heart of authentic Christianity.