In just a few days we will be celebrating Memorial Day. A day in which every American should pause to remember the ultimate sacrifice that so many service men and women have paid throughout our nation’s history in order for us to be able to enjoy the freedoms that we so often take for granted. So many brave men and women throughout history have left their families, their comforts, and their conveniences to stand in the gap between freedom and tyranny so that we as a nation could enjoy life as we know it. Freedom doesn’t come without a price and while all these great men and women have gave some, some gave their all. You see for some, their duty and loyalty literally cost them everything.

I recently just finished reading “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. If you haven’t already read the book, I highly encourage you to not only read it, but study it, as it will literally rock your spiritual world. The book challenged me to re-evaluate my commitment to Christ so that I can be sure I’m a follower of Jesus and not merely a fan. You see, if you truly want to follow Jesus, it will cost you. Will it cost you your life? It could. Will it cost you your job or promotion? It might. Will it cost you some friends? Probably so. Will it cost you your life as you know it? Absolutely! You see, if we truly want to follow Jesus then we must understand that we can’t give Him some or even most of us and expect to be true followers of Him. We must give Him all of us. It’s all or nothing with Jesus. If He’s not Lord of all, then He’s not Lord at all. You want to know if you’re truly a follower of Jesus? Then ask yourself this question and answer honestly. What has it cost you to follow Jesus lately? Ok, forget lately. What about ever? Has it really ever cost you anything to follow Jesus?

In Luke 9:23 we find the blueprint from Jesus Himself on what it means to truly be His disciple. The verse reads “If any man come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.” Jesus’ slogan was essentially “Come follow me and die.” Not exactly a warm and fuzzy marketing campaign, huh?  Denying yourself simply means you die to yourself and surrender your life to Christ. Think slave here. When you actively deny yourself you are allowing yourself to become a slave for Christ, but don’t let becoming a slave scare you. Allow me to introduce you to my master. My master will provide for you as he owns the cattle on a thousand hills. My master will always take care of your needs, no matter how big or how small. My master will protect you. He speaks and even the wind and the seas obey him. My master has the power to forgive sins. If being a slave to sin has left you broken and bruised and you find your life is in pieces, my master can take your mess and turn it into a beautiful masterpiece.

In addition to denying ourselves, we are also commanded to take up our cross daily. Notice the word daily here in the passage. So many Christians start out good and they take up their cross, only to lay it down when things get too hard or when life gets too difficult.  It’s easy to take up your cross when life is good and it’s not costing you anything to carry it. It’s easy to take up your cross at church or around other believers but it’s a whole other story when we are at our job or around lost friends and family.  We have got so good at picking our crosses up when it’s convenient for us only to lay them down when it may cost us too much. Every day is a conscience decision to take up your cross and be identified with Christ. Take your cross to church, take your cross to your home, take your cross to your job and to your community! Let everyone that you come in contact with know that you identify with Jesus and aren’t ashamed!

Not only are we called to deny ourselves and take up our crosses, but we are simply asked to follow Him. What does it mean to follow Jesus? Only you can find that out. You see, following Jesus means you literally sign a blank job description and give it back to Him to fill in the details. So many folks want to know what lies ahead before committing. With Jesus, he demands our full trust and full faith in Him to lead and guide us. He doesn’t promise that following Him will be easy. In fact, He states just the opposite. In 2 Timothy 3:12 we read, “If you desire to live godly in Christ Jesus, you will suffer persecution.” In other words, once you decide you’re “all in” and want to follow Jesus, be prepared for what lies ahead. It will cost you to follow Him, but oh what an honor!

So this weekend as you reflect upon the sacrifices that so many service men and women have made and what it cost them, may we also consider what it cost Jesus when He left all of Heaven to come and die for us so that we may have eternal life. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for you. What have you done for Him lately? What has it cost you to follow Jesus?

Praying for you always,
Dustin