Spiritual Growth for Less…
Recently I went grocery shopping with my wife Cathy. Well…technically I dropped her off at the grocery store and went with my laptop to write in McDonalds for a while. She texted me when she was done and I went and picked her up.
I could tell as she was coming toward the car with a cart of groceries she was very excited. Now for me, grocery shopping and excited don’t go together.
As I exited the car to help put the groceries in the trunk she said, “Guess what? I saved over $70 with coupons today.”
Now, saving $70 with coupons can get me excited!
We all love coupons. When we use a coupon we get something for less than the full price. The same item purchased at a discount.
On my desk right now is a Taco Bell coupon. It reads, “Enjoy one complimentary QUESADILLA when a second QUESADILLA of equal or greater value is purchased.”
Now that’s a deal!
Most like the idea of getting something for less. This is the reason why I see big red sales signs everywhere when I’m at the mall. There is no way there are that many amazing sales all the time. The SALE sign is like a beacon…calling out to potential customers…powerfully luring them into the store.
When thinking about your spiritual growth, there are no discounts. There are no sales. There are no spiritual growth coupons.
What is the price of your spiritual growth? It is the cost of following Jesus.
In Luke 9:57-62, Luke shares the story of several who wanted to follow Jesus. Here is what happened:
As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” He said to another man, “Follow me.” But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.” Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
One of the men wanted to bury his father before following Jesus. Another wanted to say goodbye to his family. Both good things I would have thought Jesus would be okay with.
Instead, Jesus makes it clear that no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the Kingdom of God.
These words seem harsh! What do they mean? Simply put, when Jesus asks you to follow him, he gets first priority.
This means to grow spiritually, there are no discounts. There are no coupons. There are no sales.
To experience the spiritual growth you desire requires you to pay the full price of a commitment to Jesus.
Paying full price means putting Jesus first in your life in all things.
Can you be a follower of Jesus if Jesus in not first in all things? Sure…but you will not experience the spiritual growth you desire.
Think of an area in your life right now where you are not placing Jesus first. Do you have it in your mind?
This week what do you need to do to place Jesus first in that area of your life? Do you have an answer?
Now pick a day to consciously implement the action you are envisioning. Is it scary? Maybe. Will it be difficult? Probably. Will it be worth it? Absolutely!
