I raked my yard with my son. My boys had gone out previously and piled up the leaves into large piles. There were so many leaves. While bagging up the leaves my son said maybe it would be better if we did not have the trees or maybe if we only had one tree so we would have less leaves. He thought that these trees and having them came with a price that he wasn’t sure he wanted to pay. The upkeep, the raking, the gathering of the seemingly millions of acorns and leaves that had fallen was just too much.

Looking at him in all seriousness I smiled. Yes, the tree came with a cost of the work to upkeep the trees but without the trees we would not have all the amazing shade. The shade that provides relief from the Florida heat that we live in. Not only does it keep people cooler, but it also extends over the house a bit so my electricity bill is not as high as it could be. The shade is just one of the benefits of the tree. There’s another benefit.  My room is at the front of the house, and I sit in my room and have a wonderful view of that beautiful tree. Life is abundant in my tree. Birds flit through the trees, sing beautiful songs, and showing off the wonderful variety of their colors.  Squirrels frolic and play and gather those millions of acorns. They chase each other and remind me of simple joy and fun. It has personally brought me so much joy watching the various animals in my tree especially on long workdays when I get to look up and see that beautiful view. During the hurricane I watched the most captivating show as my tree danced, bent, and endured the fierce winds. It was something beautiful to behold. If I didn’t have the tree I may very well never have to rake or do any upkeep, but I would lose more than I would gain. The benefits definitely outweigh what it costs to maintain it. My conclusion was that the cost of the work to maintain the tree was one I was willing to pay and that’s what I told my son.

Being a disciple of Christ also has a cost. According to Luke 9 we have to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily and follow him. We are called in Colossians to die to ourselves, to put to death our earthly lusts. We are to love Christ above all others. Jesus even said in a parable in Luke 14” suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish’ or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with 10,000 men to oppose the one coming against him with 20,000? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and ask them for terms of peace. In the same way those of you who do not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciples.”  

My question to you today is have you considered the cost of discipleship. What’s the cost you may ask? It is giving up your life as it is and submitting your will to his will and way. His gift of salvation is free. You have done nothing to earn the forgiveness that Jesus has richly given you. Yet to truly be his disciple you will have to understand that there is a cost. But just as there is a cost there is a benefit. There’s several actually. Eternal life, freedom from sin, spiritual favor and blessings in your life, strength, guidance and comfort from the Holy Spirit, and the development of your character as you walk with the Lord. There are countless benefits to being a disciple of Christ. Yes, your salvation was free, yet your walk with the Lord Is work and the full submission of yourself to God which requires something of you. That’s no easy thing and it will cost you something, but in return you will receive many blessings. The choice is yours. You have to decide if the cost is worth the benefit. You have to decide if you are willing to do what needs to be done to be a true disciple of Jesus.

I’m not cutting down my tree and I’m not giving up my relationship with God. The work and the cost are well worth it to me. I challenge you today to consider the cost. Are you going to pay it? Or are you going to cut down the trees? Only you can decide. Know that the God who knows your heart knows your choice. So, choose today!