And getting ready for it
image from Ribao Technology
God holds us responsible for how we impact others. Bless them, he blesses us. Needlessly damage them, he holds us accountable. Early on I learned to be cautious about encouraging people to do three things: to ride motorcycles for their inherent danger, to enter the ministry because of its disappointments and demands, and to become a writer, due to its difficulty and endless rejection. All three can enrich us, but they come with risks. About all three I often say, “If you can be satisfied and content without doing this, don’t do it.”
Wayne is one I did encourage to get into writing. Well, he’d been a Marine, so he knew tough, and he’d retired as a pastor, so he knew how to handle disappointment. And he has a fine mind, excellent communication skills, and an adventurous life full of good stories to use. Wayne felt the draw, but wisely chose a Forty Day Process of Discernment, to include prayer, getting advice from those who had written, searching the scriptures, talking to his wife, even attending a writing conference. And, he took all 40 days! Me? I would have thought two days and jumped in—his wisdom exceeds mine. He did choose the writing life, and next week’s story will come from him, “Unconventional Klaus.” He has a book in process, The Felon Chronicles, and is considering a memoir. I’m happy.
Jesus applied that principle to our faith. Funny, how we make it easy to begin the walk with him. “Just give it a try.” “Where you’re sitting, just raise your hand and pray…” The list could go on, but is that our Master’s Plan of Evangelism, or ours? Jesus typically told those who wanted to follow to count the cost, to have a process of discernment, before committing themselves.
In Mark 10, a young man asked Jesus how to get eternal life, claiming to have kept all the commandments. Jesus looked into his soul, loved him, and identified his greatest obstacle, “One thing you lack, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” The man’s face fell as he walked away—he had great wealth that he placed before Jesus. Jesus made him count the cost.
In John 3, the teacher of Israel, Nicodemus, a member of the ruling Sanhedrin, well respected and prosperous, visited Jesus at night, acknowledged Jesus was from God, but Jesus cut to the hear t of the chase, “no-one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” Realizing he had to sacrifice all he had earned, Nicodemus also left. But after the crucifixion, he took a public stand and helped bury the body. While we have breath, it’s never too late to count the cost, and value Jesus above whatever we most cherish.
Kick Starting the Application
What most cherished thing would Jesus ask you to give up? Would you be willing? Why or why not?