"It Cost"

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" Luke 14:28

Accepting God's will is not something to take lightly-- there is a cost. When Jesus calls us to follow Him, He also calls us to deny ourselves. Self denial isn't always easy, nor is it "cut and dry", there is a price attached to it. The price often comes in many forms. When the angel came to Mary and revealed God's will for her, there was a price to be paid in accepting His will. We look at her from a historical, Biblical viewpoint and think-- "how wonderful, what an awesome privilege she had to give birth to the Son of God." But we don't give much thought to the fact that when she said to the Lord, "Be it done unto me according to your will", that it cost her something. And great was the cost-- it cost her reputation, it cost her rejection, it cost her sneers and whisperings behind her back and gossip, endurance, faithfulness, etc.

As we look at the characters in the Bible that we love and admire and desire to be like- exhibiting such great faith, being used so mightily by God, fulfilling destiny- do we ever look at the price they had to pay to be recorded in the Bible? For some it cost family relationships, the loss of jobs, certain pleasures, hard work. For others it cost imprisonment, persecution, hardships, and even death.

When you accept the will of God for your life, don't think that it doesn't come with a "price tag". It will cost you something--- it will cost you everything. Accepting God's will costs you the price of surrender and sacrifice. But what you get in return is worth it and far out ways the cost of what you have to pay. What you get in return is the honor and privilege of serving and glorifying God.

Have a great day. Accepting God's will will cost you something, and that something will be great, but it will be worth it. What you get in return is so much greater than what you had to pay.... even if you have to pay with your life.