As each farming year begins, my sons sit around the table or in the office looking at the maps of the farm, discussing what to plant and where to plant each crop. “Corn will do better in this field….” “We need to put rice here because it is easy to irrigate….”. “We need to plant more beans this year because the price is better…..”
They have to plan ahead and then “stick” to the plan, even though things don’t always go the way they would like. In other words, the crop year does not just happen; it takes planning and hard work.
In the parable of the builder, Jesus teaches a valuable lesson:
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ ” Luke 14:28-29.
If the builder doesn’t count the cost or if he estimates it inaccurately, the building could be left half completed.
Be careful that your Christian life is not half-built and then abandoned because you did not count the cost of commitment to Jesus. “Jesus turned to His disciples and said, ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ “ Matthew 16:24.
Following Christ does not mean a trouble-free life. You must carefully count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciple so that you will be prepared and won’t stop building before completion.
“No one can become My disciple unless he first sits down and counts his blessings—and then renounces them all for me.” Matthew 14:33 Living Bible
True commitment to Christ means no turning back no matter the storm.
Remember-the crop can’t thrive if you abandon the field.
Have blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane