Counting the Cost


The movement up ahead wasn't a child running along the path, nor was it a biker heading my way, but a fox crossing the path as though I was intruding into his territory. He ran by glancing over his shoulder checking me out.  He appeared to be on a mission as he approached highway 6. He stopped and gazed back and forth contemplating his decision to cross the road. After a minute of observing the cars traveling east and west he turned in the opposite direction and ran over the berm. 

Had he counted the cost of crossing the busy highway and determined that it was not worth the risk?

Maybe there is something we can learn from that beautiful creature.

How often do we just rush into decisions without stopping to count the cost? How often do we step out into the path of destruction without ever looking to see if there is a possibility for danger? Are we wiling to take a risk in order to reach new and different heights?

Jesus asked people to come and follow Him. When He did, He also asked them to count the cost:
  • The rich young ruler had to determine if following Jesus was worth giving up his money. Luke 18:18-23
  • Another had to decide if it was worth giving up their home, their future and their families. Luke 9:57-62
  • The Peter, Andrew, James and John had to decide if they wanted to give up their career to become fishers of men. Luke 5:9-10

You and I will also have to make decisions on whether or not following Jesus wherever He calls is worth the cost. Just as the fox went to the edge of the road, looked across and then made the choice not to cross over to the other side with beautiful rolling hills leading up to the mountaintops many people will choose to turn away from the exciting life with Jesus just to return to the same old mundane life.

When we stop to count the cost, our lives will always be better when we choose Jesus and His path for us.



Matthew 8:19-20 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
 

www.hearthope.org

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