My most emotional post, about moving countries

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - Matthew 20: 26-28

READ TIME: 2 minutes

Hi!

About 4 years ago, I moved countries: from Canada to the Netherlands.

4 years ago, I wrote:

“Know, how Jesus asks us to lay down our lives? (John 15:13, Ephesians 4:21-24)

I’ve noticed that He’s not asking us to do that one time—not only when you become a follower of Christ.

He asks us to do it EVERY.SINGLE.DAY.

It hit me in church when we were singing the song Instant (a C3 Toronto original).

The chorus says:

You’re the Messiah

There is no other name

Where you go, I follow

I am not afraid

You laid your life down

Now I will do the same

My life on your altar

I’m forever changed

He asked me not to cling to something that isn’t mine—my life.

God asked me to follow Him to a place that’s not necessarily my first pick—now I see what you were talking about, Jonah.

So whilst singing out these aforementioned lyrics, I realized, I had taken back the reins of my life—clinging on to my love for living in Canada and loving what I do here.

Now, I don’t think it’s wrong to love where you live or what you do. But as soon as you are afraid it will be taken away, or you will be miserable without it, it should raise concerns.

God was calling my husband and me, and my son, who was 1 year old, back to the Netherlands. And I didn’t want to go.

I resisted it.

I fought it.

I tried to find excuses to eliminate the plan to move back.

I wanted to obey.

Then God made the song's lyrics come in.

Ever since singing that song, I saw our move back to the Netherlands in a different light.

I saw everything that I built in a different light.

I needed to stop fighting the idea of moving back, and I needed to recommit my life to Jesus.

After 4 years of building me up in Toronto, God told me:

“Jane, it’s time. You’ll go back to your home country and you’ll be able to serve there. Stop holding on to your life in Canada, you will lay it down as you promised Me. And you will follow Me. And I will take care of you while you serve others like your family in the Netherlands.”

*sigh*

How would you respond in my place?

Laying down our lives doesn’t only mean literally.
It also means putting other people’s needs before your own.

It’s not easy… Especially if you’re enjoying your life or business…”

Almost 4 years later… What a ride it has been…!

In February 2025, I visited Toronto again—31 weeks pregnant with #3. It was the first time after I left it in July 2022, bawling my eyes out.

While walking down the street, inhaling the smell of fresh snow, I realized I enjoyed it but didn’t miss it.

That was a surprise.

I have such an emotional connection to Toronto, but apparently, it doesn’t affect how I feel anymore.

The Jane who realized, there in Toronto, that she is happy to be in the Netherlands again and be able to serve here.

Yes, things have changed, but I’m still doing what God asked of me—and that’s what it’s all about. Not my agenda, but His.

Building His Kingdom in the place where I live.

Then it doesn’t matter if I’m in Canada or the Netherlands.

Blessings,

Jane