Am I Willing to Pay the Price to Follow Jesus?

Pastor C, in one of the countries where I have been traveling, came home recently to find two oil cans in front of his house.  This was a clear and brazen message being sent to him.  The message was this: “We could have just as easily burned down your house; and we could still do so at any time.”  Since there have been recent church bombings in this area, this was no idle threat and C knew it.

But the comment he made to me was this: “I have to keep asking myself this question: am I willing to pay the price to follow Jesus?”

Hmmm…

I had to really reflect on this question since it was being asked in such a real-life context. 

And, really, what does it mean in my setting in a culture where it is still relatively safe to be a follower of Jesus?  Does it mean anything?  Can I even relate to this angst?

But then I had to ask myself this question: “How long has it been since I have heard God call me to take on an assignment that would potentially really cost me?”  Maybe I am simply unwilling to consider assignments or situations that could cost me more than I think I am willing to pay?

Am I suggesting that God’s will is all about calling us to suffer?  No, I don’t think so.  On the other hand, a life of faith is often a life of risk which insinuates, I think, a willingness to pay whatever price might come for the sake of love for God and the gospel.  And if I have not been stepping out in faith to that extent, have I really been hearing all that God has been asking of me?

Or… have I just become accustomed to playing it safe and thus become unwilling to really ask God to lead me regardless of where his assignments might take me?  Do I trust him enough to believe that whatever cost he asks of me, in the process of following him, is worth it because of the overwhelming reward that comes from fully following… him?

Hmmm…

Yet, with all of that said, it still feels relatively theoretical since no one has left oil cans at my front door recently!!!

Well, these are my musings as I prepare to leave a wonderful group of leaders who are faithfully seeking to bring God’s kingdom to a nation where students come from all over the world from every background and religion to receive a college education.  I will share more on my time with them shortly…