“Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.””
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:37-38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:28; 33‬ ‭NIV‬‬

How much will you pay to follow Jesus? Interesting question, I know! But have you considered it? Have you estimated the cost? It’s so interesting to me how many of us call ourselves Christians, yet, will not spend anything on God. We don’t tithe, we don’t serve, and we refuse to change our lives in any way that’s uncomfortable for us.

What about being a worker in the field? Look around at our world today. Children are committing suicide at an increased rate, there’s an opioid crisis, crime is up in all major metropolitan cities, and people are suffering across the globe. Meanwhile, we think it’s reasonable to skip the praise and worship part of church to get right to the sermon, the part that feeds us individually. Everything is about what pleases us!

Discipleship requires a choice. A commitment. A price.

Following Jesus will sometimes send us into storms. Think of the story of when Jesus was asleep on the boat. He told the disciples “let us go to the other side.” He’s all knowing. You think He was caught off guard by the storm? Nope! That’s why He was sleeping! We will have trials. God never promised it would be easy. He promised He would be with us.

Following Jesus will sometimes require things to die. Consider Ruth. Had Mahlon been alive, she would not have met and married Boaz. Ruth is in the lineage of Jesus because something in her life died. What will you let die to be a disciple?

Yes, being a laborer is hard! It means waking up earlier to pray. Practicing self-control when you want to do something you enjoy. Living a fasted lifestyle when you really want that cheeseburger. Thinking of the alcoholic you’re praying for when you’re so use to going to happy hour!

Our lives become God’s canvas, and that’s not always a pleasant process.

But the harvest is plentiful—there are souls that need saving. God needs your “yes.” Before you give it, estimate the cost. Will you spend everything you have to become God’s disciple?

Xoxo