Disciples of Jesus – Luke 14:25-33
Too often, we find ourselves stressed and fragmented because we try to compartmentalize everything. We create separate lives for work, school, family, home, the internet, recreation, politics, civic duties, and church. We set different priorities depending on where we are, who we’re with, or what we’re doing. And that ends up leaving us feeling ineffective and inadequate, diluting our power and energy until it’s almost non-existent.
But discipleship – true discipleship – can empower us and unify our lives because Jesus demands more from us. There can be only one priority: Him. This single priority would focus our energy, reduce our stress, and shape who we are and what we do. If that’s true, consider the implications.
It means we must become the same person with the same values, principles, and beliefs, regardless of where we are, who we’re with, or what we’re doing. Politics can no longer be governed by party agendas but must be motivated by a commitment to Jesus and gospel values. Personal opinions and preferences must give way to the love of neighbors and even enemies.
Imagine how this would change our postings and comments on Facebook and other social media. It would transform our public and private conversations. It would change how others see us and how we see ourselves.
Business would no longer be defined solely as a venture to gain money, power, or leverage but as a resource to care for, support, and satisfy human needs. The environment wouldn’t be just a commodity to be used, polluted, or stripped but a sacred gift entrusted to our care, manifesting and revealing God’s beauty and holiness. Everything we say, do, and are would reveal how our lives have been transformed by the love of Jesus Christ.
We know how to make sacrifices and pay the cost for many things in our lives. We sacrifice years of study for an education, long hours and weekends for a successful career, and time, money, and other opportunities to ensure our kids or grand kids get to camp, activities, or sports. We sacrifice dessert for a healthy diet (most of the time, anyway!). Maybe we even sacrifice sleeping in to make time to work out.
We do these things because they’re important to us and are significant aspects of who we are and how we live. But this leads us to an obvious question: What costs are we willing to pay, and what sacrifices are we willing to make to become disciples of Jesus?
