Are You Willing?
So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33
When my kids were little, they tried a lot of different activities. I always wanted them to find that thing that they had a true passion for. We did music lessons, we did every sport that was available in our area, I tried to give them a good view of what there was out there, so that when they found what they loved, we could really pour ourselves into it. But before each new adventure, we sat down and talked about what it meant to join that team. I purposely went over practice requirements and games, letting them know that we could do it, but that they couldn’t pick and choose when to go to practice. My question was always: “Are you willing to do everything that’s required of you?” My only concession for practice missing was if it interfered with church time. I wanted them to know that if they started something, they would finish it, regardless of whether or not they liked the activity.
Our Lord had similar conversations with His disciples. In the 14th chapter of Luke, we see Him discussing counting the cost of what it will mean to follow Him. He wants them to be sure they are prepared for what is ahead for them. We see all of it, and read it, and we think we understand, but are we prepared to do it? Are you willing to forsake mother and father? What about Spouse and Child? Brothers and Sisters? What about your own life? Are you willing to give up everything you had planned for your life, possibly even your life itself, to follow Christ? In that ever so familiar passage in Romans 12, we are reminded to become a living sacrifice. That being said, most of the time, we don’t have to give up our family… but the real truth is that we need to understand that our #1 priority becomes God, above all else, regardless of what anybody else thinks or says.
24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:24-25
The thing I really wanted my kids to see when they were joining various teams and activities is that doing some thing in part, or just to be ‘on the team’ never results in true enjoyment of the activity. If you are just trying to ‘get by’ doing the least amount possible, you not only become a liability for the rest of the people on the team, you miss out on the true enjoyment that comes from giving your all to an activity.
That’s true in life, whether it’s our job, our family, or a recreational activity. It’s doubly true in our spiritual lives. We should desire so much more than just ‘making it to heaven.’ Laying up treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust corrupt, that’s so much more than securing our own salvation. It’s proclaiming the goodness of God to everyone we know. It’s spending time in the Word and in prayer. When we commit ourselves fully to His service, He gives out treasures both in Heaven and Earth beyond anything we can dream of.
There is one thing to consider: to really live for Christ… well, that means walking a different road than the crowd. And, quite possibly, it means that the crowd will look at you a little differently. When you step out for Christ, you suddenly become noticeable. Not because you want the attention, but because when your life changes drastically, people take notice. When your priorities switch from the average person, you stick out like a sore thumb. It takes a little getting used to, but I can say, from personal experience, that it is worth it. It’s worth every lost friendship, it’s worth every sidelong glance. My constant prayer is that my relationship with my Lord continues to grow at the same rate that other people’s discomfort with the changes He’s making in me does. And the best thing of all is that, when you live for God, He is faithful to place new people in your life that bring blessings and joy into your walk with Him. I would never have considered having hours long conversations about my faith, my prayer life, a part of the Bible I’ve been reading, and yet those things are common place in my life now. And I love it!
Our real question becomes: Are you willing? Are you willing to leave every earthly thing you have or love behind to serve the God who created it all? Are you willing to live with the changes He makes in your life as He shows you how to become more like Him. Will your life change if you commit every part of it to God? Yes. Will you ever for one second regret it? NO! Getting to know your Creator better, understanding your Savior more can only ever result in more joy in your life. Making that step out into full commitment may seem hard and scary at the outset, because we’re all used to where we are, but once you do, the joy that you find is immeasureable. Are you willing?
