count the cost

“Come, follow me.” Jesus invites us all to this eternity-changing invitation. Some may think it is a one time invitation, but I believe that Jesus invites us to follow him everyday with our whole lives. No matter where we find ourselves in our walk with him, he’s always inviting us to go deeper- maybe it’s saying yes to him for the first time or maybe he’s asking you to follow him into a new season that’s going to create deeper trust, faith and dependence on him- it’s always worth it. 

It’s always worth it but there’s always a cost to it. There’s a cost to everything in life but Jesus is the only one that will give you way more back than the cost it takes to follow him. 

I’ll be back in the states in less than a month (wild!!!). During our last Sunday here in Joburg, we sat in with the youth at the church we’re patterning with. The message given that morning was on Luke 9 and the passage titled “the cost of following Jesus.” The speaker spoke about how Jesus invited 3 different people to come and follow him and the excuses they had. All legitimate excuses, I mean one guy wanted to bury his dad and another wanted to tell his family goodbye! But the point of his message was that there will always be something else inviting us to not accept Jesus’ invitation and instead follow elsewhere. 

During the past two weeks, my team and I have had the chance to witness one baptism and pray for another youth the night before her baptism. We were asked to pray over each person or to give them a word of encouragement. And as much as we were there to encourage them, they encouraged me all the more!! Watching them take this next step in following Jesus and hearing my teammates speak and pray truth into these lives brought immense joy. The truth spoken over their lives that saying yes to Jesus and following him is the best yes that could ever be given. 

It made me think of my own personal journey with the Lord and the “yeses” he brought me to. It made me think of this past year and what “counting the cost” looks like. I use to think that the cost on this 11 month journey would be mainly given at the beginning of the year- when I left home and the comforts that came with it. But one thing I’ve learned is that the cost comes with every month and every ministry we partner with. I didn’t realize the burden that would come with falling in love with the people of these countries and the ministries we were able to partner with. I think it was in Albania that it finally hit me (after 9 months)- that the chances of me returning to these countries and seeing these people again are few (even though I’d totally be up for that God!!!) My team and I started telling people during our goodbyes “see ya in Heaven!!” and while the reality is that I probably won’t see many again on this side of Heaven, what a joy to know the hope and future we have through Jesus in seeing each other again one day!! 

I catch myself wanting to stay in this year forever. I mean what a mountain top experience!! But the Lord has so gently reminded me that even as he is the God of the mountain, He’s the God of the valleys and will be with me wherever I go. And ultimately all I want is that- to be a person of his presence. I know that as sweet as the year has been with all the things that come with traveling the world, the sweetest gift has been this journey with Christ. And really, that’s what lasts! “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. What an assurance! That even when I enter into new seasons of life, Jesus is the same and he’s been the one there with me in and through it all! And the same is for everyone. No matter where you may find yourself in your walk and journey with the Lord, he is inviting you into more with him. It may not always be easy, but it’s most definitely always worth it.

MK