Something Needs To ChangeSample

As I think about living and serving in the hard places in the world, Jesus’s words in Luke 14 make more sense to me. I’ve often wondered why these words of his seem so foreign to me and most every other Christian I’ve been around in North America, particularly where churches are prevalent. It doesn’t feel too costly to follow Christ in America. Sure, it means giving time and money we might spend elsewhere, but we’re not in danger of losing our lives.

But I wonder if that’s the disconnect between us and Jesus’s words in Luke 14. On one hand, I praise God that I was born into a family where I’ve heard the gospel since the day I was born. I praise God for parents, friends, and a church who have loved and cared for me so that it didn’t cost me my life or possessions to follow Jesus. But if I stop there and keep my life and possessions for myself, then I need to ask the question, Am I really following Jesus? 

According to Luke 14, I’m not. Because if I’m truly a Christian, I’m expected to die to my life and my plans in order to follow Jesus wherever he leads me. And if I’m following him, then inevitably he’s going to lead me to people who don’t yet know his love. And inevitably he’s going to lead me to those who are in urgent need of his provision. And, inevitably, that is going to be costly for me. 

So, I conclude, the only way to avoid the cost Jesus describes in Luke 14 is not to follow him. Maybe we can call ourselves Christians, but we’ll be doing so as we indulge in a world of comfort while ignoring a world of urgent spiritual and physical need. Or maybe giving relative minutes of our time and pennies of our money toward those in need while continuing on with a life that’s essentially focused on ourselves. 

I am tempted every single day to not follow Jesus as described in Luke 14. There is a constant lure toward comfort and away from need in the world. That lure is strong, and I need regular reminders from persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ around the world that following Christ is costly.