Is There a Cost to Follow Christ

"Then he said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23)

Measuring the cost vs benefit of following God's lead and serving overseas is difficult.  Are there benefits?  Absolutely!  We can count numerous benefits to our family, our marriages, and our spiritual lives. There are many, many benefits to living a life of service, at home and overseas.

But, are there costs?  Absolutely!  There are daily, painful, and difficult costs on our lives.

I think there is a cost anytime you follow God out of obedience.  In scripture He calls it “taking up our cross.”  There is always a cost to following Christ.  And although the costs of moving out of your home culture to serve alongside the Good Shepherd are unique, these costs can also be heavy.

What are some of the costs?

 1) Fear of persecution and possibly death

 2) Not being there for the final moments of your parent’s life.

 3) Missing your niece’s birth.

 4) Having your young child grow up not knowing the name of your relatives.

 5) Missing that graduation, that 50th birthday party, and the Thanksgiving dinner.

 6) Being forgotten, or instead, being so deeply missed that you are the source of someone’s pain.

 7) Not having that youth group, Grandma's mentoring, or that Christian friend for a young, growing daughter.

 8) Not being there when your best friend passes away.

 9) Not having a primary care doctor that knows you, has known your medical history, or even your name.

These are only some of the many costs.          

But is it worth it?  You know what He has asked of you.  And, you know His will is for His glory and our best.  You know the benefits.

So, of course it’s worth it!  “Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” (John 6:68)

The benefits most definitely outweigh the cost, Always!  Where else are we to go?  But, there is a cost, and there is a cross.  And we must carry it.

Yes, there is a cost!

Making the Most of Your Time

“Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men, but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15-16)

One of the characteristics of successful people is that they don’t waste time.  They make the most of every opportunity regardless of the circumstances.  How do you do that?  Since life is a gift from God, and life is time, then we need to take a good look at the way we use our time.  One of my Bible heroes is Paul, the apostle.  He was a giant in the faith!  When he wrote to the church in Ephesus and challenged them to make the most of every opportunity, he provided an example for them through his own life. 

At the time he penned these words, he was in prison for sharing the gospel with others.  Despite the fact he was chained to Roman guards, with not allowed any freedom, he saw opportunity before him and made the most of it.  This would be a defining moment in his life. Since he could no longer continue on his missionary journey to the churches he established or pioneer new ones, he used the time in prison to write letters to those churches that became part of our New Testament today.  And, when he asked for prayer, it is striking to me that he never requested pray that he would be released from prison or that he would be free of the chains that bound him, but instead, that he would boldly continue to speak about Jesus in spite of them. 

Then, in another prison letter to the church in Philippi (See Philippians 1-4), his pages radiated with joy!  How could he remain so joyful, and find opportunity, among such difficult and restricting circumstances?  Being unfairly imprisoned would cause most of us to become bitter, or even just give up, but Paul saw it as one more opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! 

When you compare the two letters that Paul writes from prison, you find the answer.  Paul recognized that being in his current situation wasn’t as important as how he responded to it.  God can use us in any circumstance to do His will.  Even as we pray for a change in our circumstances, we should also pray that God will accomplish His plan through us right where we are. 

If you want to make the most of every opportunity, consider that your current state of affairs are not as important as what you do with them.  Seize the day!  Look for where God is at work and your joy will overflow!  To make the most of your time, live for God!  For God’s glory!  For God’s approval! 

Are you making the most of your time for the Lord?    

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