The Cost of Following Jesus

Last night in our Wednesday Night Bible Study, we were studying the first chapter of David Platt's book, Radical. As we ended the study and I began to pray, the Spirit spoke to me in a very strong way.

"How has following Jesus COST you something, Carrie?"

We whine, we cry, we think we've taken risks, we complain about finances, we look at our lack of having things (which really isn't a lack at all), we "comment" on church policy, we give our opinions about what should and shouldn't change...

But is it really costing us something?

I thought about the guilt I feel when I don't answer a text, a Tweet, a Facebook message right away. Because of the immediacy of our culture, we feel that we should be able to access one another at all hours of the day and night. I mean, I "TEXTED" you! Why didn't you answer right away?

A friend talked about putting down her iPhone - not looking at it for a day.

Those are the "costs" we're having to pay. But are we even paying them?

As I was praying at the end of that study, the Lord tapped me on the shoulder. I was thinking about that text, that Tweet, that Facebook message I thought I needed to answer because... "What would they think?"

The Lord gently said, "How many times have you ignored me?"

I began to cry.

Countless Christians are giving their lives, their families, their homes, their money... they risk themselves every day for the cost of Christ.

And I can't put my phone down.

"And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."  Luke 14:27