Monday February 14, 2022

Today is Monday, February 14 and this week we are exploring what the Bible says about counting the costs.

As I enter a time of solitude with God, I slow my breathing and silence a constant stream of distracting thoughts. I endeavor to focus my whole being upon God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Precious Lord, you are always with me even though I am often unaware of your abiding presence. Teach me how to pray, to not only speak but also to listen. Show me what it means to count the costs of living a life of deeper discipleship and service in your kingdom. Amen.

I praise God with a thankful heart using the ancient words of Psalm 107.

Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy. Psalm 107:21-22

Pause and Pray

The cost of salvation is beyond comprehension. The Son of God was executed in our place; by the shedding of his blood we are set free and our guilt is removed. For us to experience this pardon we need not and cannot pay anything. There is no cost for us. We receive redemption through faith alone because of what Christ has done. On the other hand, receiving Christ as savior has its high cost. Declared righteous by God, we are to become transformed people through sanctifying grace. The cost is complete surrender to God and his will and a commitment to obey the law of Christ. Throughout the centuries, followers of Jesus have encountered misunderstanding, rejection, ridicule, suffering and persecution from the world. Little wonder Jesus warns those who want to follow him to count the cost of discipleship.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14:25-30

I wish Jesus had not said these words. I struggle to accept that followers are required to hate father, mother, spouse, child, and siblings to be a disciple. Jesus adds the small emphasis on one phrase, I am to hate “even my own life.” That makes more sense to me, because I am selfish. I always want to put myself first. I want to place my life, my ambitions, my needs, my wants and my desires above his kingdom. I consider what I am willing to set down in order to follow Jesus more closely. What have I prioritized above my Lord? I carry my cross and follow him, just as he carried his cross along the Via Dolorosa to Golgotha, dirt streets lined with jeering crowds slinging insults. The rough hewn cross is heavy to bear. What cross do I bear to follow Jesus? I am not sure I understand the costs of discipleship. I am uncertain what sacrifices will be required in my lifetime. I must sit down, estimate the cost, and see if I have what it takes to complete this journey. I have decided to build my life on Christ and am determined to see it to completion.

Ask: What are the costs of discipleship for me? What sacrifices would I be willing and unwilling to make to follow Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Jesus, you are Lord and savior of my life. Forgive me for the times I put the things of this world before you. Reveal the places that I fail to fulfill the role of a true disciple and resist the little crosses I am to carry for you. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, send your sanctifying grace to transform my heart. Your kingdom is worth every sacrifice and cost that is required. Show me where I am lacking and inspire me to surrender what I continue to clutch. I read the words from Luke again and listen for the message you have for me.

Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’” Luke 14:25-30

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

As I endeavor to hear the words of this scripture speaking fresh to me today, I imagine walking along the crowded roads with Jesus listening to his teaching. I consider the places in my life I have laid a foundation – faith, marriage, family, home, church, career. I am building my life each day, improving on that foundation. Will I have what it takes to finish my endeavor? Perhaps God wants to reveal what is lacking in me. Maybe God wants to make me aware of the costs and sacrifices I will be required to make. At the end of my life will I have built a strong tower, fought the good fight, finished the race? I believe God will provide whatever I am lacking if I ask in faith, ready to surrender the things of this world to make room for the things of God which sanctify my soul.

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus Christ, I want to follow you, yet every step I take as your disciple means a step I relinquish traveling in another direction. I invite your instruction and welcome your wisdom. Reveal the places I am lacking and teach me what it means to count the costs of following closely in your footsteps. I pray the Holy Spirit will make me a more worthy follower. Amen.

Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37-38

I leave this time of prayer with a new realization of the costs of discipleship, endeavoring to sacrifice myself for God and others.

Amen.