On Monday I made my normal after work trip to the gym. I planned to knock out a good run and head to the house. When I arrived at my local sweat establishment, I could not find a parking place. “What in the world happened here?” New Year’s resolutions happened. So for the next month or so I will have to endure packed parking lots, people walking on treadmills with their bluetooth phones, and other annoyances of well meaning but destined to fall off the wagon resolution makers. Come March we will be back down to the same faithful workout fanatics, and the gym will still be collecting their monthly fees from those who allowed hope to get ahead of dedication.
Don’t misunderstand me. I love the fact that we get so worked up about improving our lives. This is good. But to do so without counting the cost is foolish! If we think that change will be easy, we are just setting ourselves up for failure. Change is difficult. It is essential for moving forward in life but it is tough. This includes our spiritual life as well.
In Luke 14, Jesus talks about what it takes to follow Him. His message in a Steve Turner paraphrase goes something like this. “If you are going to follow Me, you better know what you are getting into. This is not a sit in the pew on Sunday kind of program. This is an every step of every day kind of thing. If you are not willing to carry your cross, this is not for you!”
Take some time to ponder that message from the Lord. Have you bought into the American casual Christianity epidemic? We live in a “follow Jesus when convenient” culture. We don’t want to offend people. We don’t want to make it hard. This is not the discipleship talked about by the Savior. It is man made and it is devastating our lives, marriages, and families.
What are your goals for the new year? Yes, I believe it is good for you to have some.
How are you going to be a better disciple of Christ, servant, husband, wife, parent, child, friend, YOU?
In what ways do you need to change? Are you willing to count the cost to get there?
Just remember, desire without dedication is just a dream!
See you on the treadmill. And you better be sweating!
Steve
