Count The Cost

Luke 14: 28-30, 33

But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first counting the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it? Otherwise you might complete only the foundation before running out of money, and then everyone would laugh at you. They would say, "There's the person who started that building and couldn't afford to finish it!"
So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own.

Luke 17: 33

If you cling to your life, you will lose it; and if you let your life go, you will save it.

Everything I own includes my own life, too. 

What am I willing to give up to follow Jesus? My house? My car? My attitude that I deserve good things? I think my Lord looks at my heart, my mind, my attitudes toward the things I have. Do I depend on my things to meet my needs, or am I willing to forgo these "things" and depend on Him for my sustenance? 

What if He has provided for me these "things" I have left from "downsizing" my lifestyle these last few years in order to meet my needs now? But if I depend on these "things" and cling to them as necessities, am I willing for Him to take them, too?

If I say, "How will I then live?" am I looking at this World and the things of this World instead of looking to my Father, Who has promised to meet my needs? 

I am preparing to turn a blind corner in my life, and I want to be habitually depending on my Lord for sustenance, and to lead and guide me to where He is working, so I can work with Him. I don't expect it to be easy, but I don't want to have any expectations at all, though I suspect I may have some, that I have imagined. 

O my Father, You have done so much for me! Thank You for being my Great God. Thank You for being my Provider and Sustainer. Thank You for Your dear Son, to have paid my debt in full and to have saved me from the power of sin and redeemed my self from destruction into glory. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, Who has come to live in my human spirit and made it alive, which enables me to communicate directly with You, my Father. 

Teach me now, Father, to clearly hear Your still, small voice, tuning out all the clamor around me. Teach me how to follow in Your footsteps, going to where You are working. Show me whatever work You have designed my hands to do, to be Your hands. Put Your Words in my mouth to speak Your Truth. I am Yours, Father, do with me whatever is Your will for me. Let others see You in me, not my flesh. Fill my heart with Your love, to overflow onto others You have put in my life. 

Remove from my heart and mind all the stony places that still remain, forgive my sins and cleanse me, renewing my thoughts and feelings. Break my heart with what breaks Your heart, and allow me to bring Your comfort to those who are suffering, and Your Light to those in darkness. 

Use me, my King, to further Your Kingdom, and to prepare the Way for You. Send me into Your fields, so ripe and ready to be harvested. Allow me to bring into the Fold some of Your lost sheep who are still wandering. 

Even so, come, Lord Jesus!