Count The Cost
In prayer time with God, I asked Him what He wanted me to write.
Silence.
“God, tell me what to write because I only want to write what you want me to write.”
“Do you?” He asked. “Why do I sense hesitation and fear?”
“I’m worried that what you want me to say will not line up with the encouraging thing I want to say. I guess I’m scared that what you want, won’t be what I want.”
“This is why I haven’t told you what to write because your heart is conflicted. Sarah, when you’re ready to write what I want you to say, I will give you the words. “
Are our hearts aligned with God’s heart? Are we ready and willing to obey regardless of what He’s calling us to say or do?
Many times, when God gave people words to say or called someone to follow him, there was a cost. The words He put in the mouths of prophets were hard truths and often called people to realign their hearts with His heart. When He called people like Abraham, Moses, Esther, Daniel, and even the apostles, there was always a cost to their obedience.
Abraham left his homeland for a place he didn’t know.
Moses returned to a land he never wanted to see again and was asked to speak words he was terrified to speak.
God called Esther to risk her life and go before the king to save her people.
Daniel was obedient to the Lord and did not bow down in worship to anyone but God alone, which went against the king’s decree and could have cost him his life.
Jesus told the disciples that if they wanted to follow Him, they needed to leave everything behind and follow him.
And, as Jesus said, if we want to follow Him, we must count the cost. Take up our cross and follow Him.
In other words, choosing to follow God and be obedient to Him means we must set aside what we want and say yes to what He calls us to, no matter how difficult. If we do that, we are in partnership with God to bring about His plan and reach those He’s called us to reach.
Remember:
When Abraham obeyed, God birthed an entire nation through him.
When Moses obeyed, he witnessed God free that same nation from slavery.
When Esther obeyed, people’s lives were saved.
When Daniel obeyed and continued to pray, even though it was forbidden, he was thrown into a den of lions. Yet God spared Daniel’s life. The king declared that Daniel’s God is the Living God whose kingdom shall never be destroyed.
When the disciples obeyed, they boldly proclaimed, at significant cost to themselves, that Jesus Christ is the messiah who gave His life for the sins of the world and rose again for the salvation of all humankind.
If we truly want to follow God, we must count the cost of obedience so that when He calls us to go into all the world, however He calls us to do that, our yes will be solid and unwavering. We don’t have to be fearless to be faithful, but we do need to be obedient and say yes to God. Then, go wherever He sends us.
So, my friend, where is your heart today? Is it aligned with God’s heart? Is it entirely surrendered to Him?
Spend some quiet time with the Father and ask Him if there is anything in your heart that is keeping you from fully surrendering your will to Him.
Then, courageously trust Him by giving those things entirely to Him.
Finally, ask Him to align your heart with His so when He calls you to step out in obedience, you’re ready and willing to answer His call.
