Thoughts for the Day

Whoever does not carry the cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and estimate the cost, to see whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to ridicule him, saying, “This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.” Or what king, going out to wage war against another king, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one who comes against him with twenty thousand? If he cannot, then, while the other is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for the terms of peace.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

In the late 1980s a report was produced called 'Children in the way'. The report was based on a questionnaire sent to all churches, and as the Children's Adviser for the Diocese of Worcester I worked on creating all-age work and worship. Then with my opposite number in Hereford I organised an all-age pilgrimage. We took up to 1,000 people (aged 1 to 90 years) on a walk between the two cathedrals, across fields and along paths for a period of six days. People dropped in and out of the walk. Worcester Pottery made two chalices lined with gold, and we held Communion Services and liturgical dance in fields. The people slept in tents, schools and halls. It was glorious!

Risk assessments were carried out, but we didn't account for everything. After the opening service the great west doors of the cathedral opened to let the people stream out, singing "You shall go out with joy". At this point my husband lost control of Alice our labrador and she jumped into the river, which was in spate! Some considerable time and a few wet helpers later she was rescued. But this was only the beginning, because I then injured my back and had to be carted off to a Doctor, missing the ceremonial handover on the top of the Malvern hills, one of the highlights that I had planned, though I did return for the entrance to Hereford and the washing of 1,000 feet by the two Bishops in the cathedral.

Jesus says in our passage from Luke's gospel that we should count the cost of being a disciple. It won't be an easy road, our way may be painful and difficult, and the challenges may be immense. No risk assessment will mention all these things. We need to be able to cope with whatever happens and give up everything for our Lord. Remember, there are many followers of Jesus Christ who partially commit to Him. Only a few disciples will give all for Him!

Lord God,
Your Son calls us to commit
to Him completely -
to pick up our cross
and follow Him -
wherever that may go.
Give us the courage and the faith
to be a disciple and not a
casual follower or hanger-on.
Amen.