The Cost of Following Jesus

Luke 9:57-62
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+9:57-62

Have you ever considered what it looks like to be completely sold out for the sake of Jesus? Have you weighed the option of putting both feet in and surrendering your life, your dreams, your goals, your time, your money, your everything to the King of the Universe? What does that entail? Well, all of you. Not just your words, but your actions and your output of the day.

What does it look like to have a faith that truly lives?

Well, I don't have the answer, folks, but you're welcome to follow along as I process just PART of what it means to be a follower of Jesus, who lives with abandon.

If you've been following my blog for the year(ish) that I have had it, you will know that I have already transferred colleges once. To put it (very, very) simply, I was in a different place in my faith walk as a senior in high school, who was mad at God for the crummy situations in which I was facing. I chose to neglect my lifelong dream of playing soccer at Concordia University in Nebraska, and I chose U of M, Morris. It was a great academic setting for me, but I didn't fit in relationally. Wanting a senior year I never had, I opted to attend a close college (30 min away) and thus, I transferred. It was a great year, and I got to make a full circle with my knee injury and soccer. I beat that torn ACL. I won! But now, as the flare up in my disobedience to God settles down...... I begin to wonder. What would have happened if I had pursued those wholesome dreams pre-senior year? I have wanted to make a far move, feeling like I can handle that as a young adult. I have wanted to live near a big city, full of life and diversity. I have wanted to see a culturally unique classroom, as I peer into my professional future. All of these dreams came rushing back to me. I have the confidence again to unlock the potential that God has placed inside of me. I have decided that God is bigger than any circumstance I encounter or any obstacle that I have to hurdle. Therefore, I will sell myself out for His calling. His purpose for my life is becoming more and more clear, and yet, I see struggle. I have a family, who doesn't want to see me go. I have the practical side of myself who says that it's a waste of time to transfer again. I have grounded myself around here with friends, professors, jobs, and connections that I would be sad to leave. And yet, I feel the urge. To go and start living what was once a mere dream of mine. Why wait?

Luke 9:57-62 is where I have buried myself tonight. I am pouring over this short amount of verses and relating to each of the situations that could likely hold someone back from giving Jesus full control of their life's plans.

1) The Son of Man hath no where to lay his head.... Well, that's not comforting!! But, I don't think that this is saying that God won't provide for you. You will have a place to live, but don't get comfy! To me, I am hearing: You don't belong anywhere. You aren't a Glenconian. You aren't a Minnesotan. You aren't a Wheaton. You aren't a U.S. citizen. You are mine. You belong in heaven. Follow me wherever I lead you..... Psalm 84:3 says, "Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young-- a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King and my God." It is not a question of whether or not God will take care of you.... He will. He just doesn't want us to become stale. He doesn't want us to be lukewarm. He wants us to know Him and know His love which is going to naturally lead us to a life of passionate obedience to His name.

2) But, what if I wait just long enough to bury my father? Jesus says, "Let the dead bury their own dead: but GO though and PREACH the kingdom of God." God doesn't want your divided attention, He wants all of you. He wants to be First by a long shot. There is little to argue with here, but a lot to wrestle with. Considering the power and victory that Christ has over creation, He should be unquestionably first in our lives. So why then, how then, do we get sidetracked? Even by family?? Jesus is trying to convey here though, that he doesn't want us to neglect the specific calling He has placed on our lives while busying ourselves with the spiritually dead in the routine tasks of life. He has called us higher. We must go where He leads.

3) But, Lord, hang on. Just let me go and say goodbye. Jesus replies, "No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Never looking back! Friends, God doesn't want us to be wishy-washy. He wants a surrendered disciple. How do we do that? WHY would we ever do that? It is for freedom that we are set free! Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Your old ways will always be lurking. Temptations of your old self will loom. Don't look back! Christ died for us so we could live in freedom. Stand firm. How?? I'm losing all strength.... well, then that is when you run to the arms of Your Mighty Savior and rest in His grace. Saturate yourself with the truth of His love. Your vision will come back. You will regain the strength to carry on.... not as a slave... but as a free child of God.

"Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest."