“For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
- Luke 14:28 ESV
I was sitting on the porch this morning watching my human drink coffee and read his Bible. I was counting the squirrels in the yard, the birds in the trees, and the minutes until breakfast. I’m pretty good at counting things that matter to me.
Then my human started reading about Jesus telling people to count the cost of following Him.
Now, I’ve never been much on counting costs. If chasing a rabbit costs me a little dignity, so be it. If rolling in something that smells terrible costs me a bath, well, that’s a problem for another day. Some things just seem worth it at the time.
But following Jesus?
That’s something worth thinking about.
Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy. He talked about denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him. He warned people to consider what discipleship would require before making the commitment.
Seems like a pretty important conversation to have before signing up.
We sure do like the benefits of following Jesus.
Forgiveness.
Hope.
Peace.
Eternal life.
Knowing we’re loved by a God who gave His Son to save us.
But what about the cost?
What happens when following Jesus means forgiving somebody who doesn’t deserve it?
What happens when telling the truth costs us an opportunity?
What happens when obedience means letting go of something we’d rather keep?
What happens when standing for Christ makes us stand alone?
That’s when we find out whether we simply like the idea of Jesus or have surrendered our lives to Him.
Now, let’s be clear. We don’t pay for salvation. Jesus paid that price at the cross. We’re saved by grace through faith, not by earning God’s favor. But grace calls us to a changed life. Following Jesus means He gets to be Lord, not just somebody we call on when life gets hard.
My human looked down at me about then. I guess he noticed I’d quit counting squirrels and started paying attention.
Here’s what I’m learning: Counting the cost isn’t about deciding Jesus is too expensive. It’s about recognizing that He is worth more than anything we might have to surrender.
The question isn’t whether following Jesus will cost us something. The question is whether we trust Him enough to follow wherever He leads.
So today, take an honest look at your faith. Are you following Jesus only when it’s convenient, or are you willing to follow when obedience costs you something?
Because being a disciple isn’t just about what we say we believe. It’s about who gets to call the shots when what Jesus wants conflicts with what we want.
And if you ask me, that’s a cost worth counting.
PRAYER: Lord, help me count the cost of following You honestly. Give me the courage to surrender what stands between me and obedience. Remind me that whatever I lay down for You cannot compare with the treasure of knowing You. Help me follow You wholeheartedly, whatever the cost. Amen.
Keep the Faith… Carpe Diem
