Why I stay when the cost is so high.
The cost of discipleship.
Thought
Sometimes I have erroneously thought, whether subtly believed or overtly stated, that following Jesus Christ and making covenants with him, ought to exempt me from some of the trials and suffering of life. But I have found little evidence in the scriptures or my own life to support any such claim. In fact I often find evidence to the contrary.
Abinidi was a disciple and was burnt at the stake, Joseph Smith was a disciple and was martyred, Peter was a disciple and was crucified. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ does not exempt us from suffering. Perhaps suffering is one of the ways God reveals to us the price he paid for our salvation, and our knowing the cost deepens our appreciation for the gift.
One might be tempted to ask why one would choose to follow Jesus Christ when the cost of discipleship is so high. I don’t believe that Christ demands payment in full, the first steps along the trail are often pleasant, even tranquil.
But I believe that sooner or later, if we continue to follow the trail traversed by Jesus himself, we will find ourselves in our own figurative Gethsemane where we will be asked to give the only thing we truly have to offer; our will.
One reason I choose to remain a disciple is because I feel like those first disciples who when asked if they would also leave replied, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life”
The path of discipleship is not painless. Suffering still strikes. But when I survey the landscape of life, I see no other trails that make sense. I see plenty of easier ones, at least in the short term, but none that elevate, enliven and exalt my soul like the one first travelled by Jesus Christ.
Quote.
The heart never takes the place of the head: but it can, and should, obey it.
- C.S. Lewis (The Abolition of Man, p.19)
Idea.
Christmas can be one of the loneliest times of the year, especially in the northern hemisphere where the days are short, the weather turns cold, and we feel for secluded and isolated. Let us therefore use the message and joy of Christmas to reach out, especially to those feeling lonely or left out.