To go or not to go...

Imagine this scene with me for a moment

While Jesus was out walking through the streets, this large crowd was following, clamoring to see what miracle He might perform next, what teaching he might pronounce. Maybe the crowds starting constantly bumping elbows with Him, or just became so noisy that He could barely hear Himself breathe. Regardless of why, Jesus turned to them as they walked and essentially said this

"Anyone who comes to me but refuses to let go of father, mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even one's own self!—can't be my disciple."

"Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn't first sit down and figure the cost so you'll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you're going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: 'He started something he couldn't finish.'

Jesus is beginning to bring down some harsh conditions for those following if they continue to desire to follow Him. First He says that you have to let go of everything, and be loyal to me first. Secondly He says something to the effect of, 'You know those guys who sit down and consider the cost of something before they undergo the task? I don't want you to be like them. I want you to follow me no matter what the cost, not to even worry about it, or begin to look back.'

I was thinking about that last night, when I undertook what stands as my craziest adventure yet on campus at East Carolina. I'm sorely tempted to give details now, but I don't want to attract too much attention to me and my friend just yet. All you need to know for this post is that we did something spur of the moment. What we did was crazy, and slightly costly. Thankfully I didn't dwell much on all the costs of doing this, and simply lived the adventure.

I came to a huge realization about myself in the process. As much as I talk about adventures, I rarely get around to actually living them, often because I take time to consider the costs first, and unless I'm prepared enough, they don't happen. Last night unlocked a door in my heart, a door that gave my soul permission to freely pursue adeventures, to throw aside caution.

We need Christians to do the same with their faith. Jesus Himself even called for us follow Him. Not to go back, draw some out of savings, pack a suitcase with rain boots, and a winter coat, etc but to follow Him and trust that He will provide the rest. He said in Matthew that if the birds are taken care of, and they don't even gather or store into barns, how much more would we be provided for, and we being of far more value that birds?

What if He calls us to live in Alaska during the winter there? Or to take medical supplies to the congo? What if He calls us to give hope to patients who only have 2 months to live with cancer? Will we say yes, or will we sit down and say "I don't know, thats asking an awful lot. Can't I give money instead for people to do that, and stay here?"

Will you jump in water or stay standing on dry ground?