I'm a person that prefers dogs over cats, but I was hesitant to get a dog. My wife had never owned a dog, but had always wanted one. We have two cats, Charlie and Waldo. Cats are not as good as dogs, but they are far easier.
So, I said no to getting a dog for years.
It's not that I don't like a dog, but dogs are far more work than cats and I wanted to make sure my wife understood that fact. Loving a dog isn't enough. Dogs take commitment.
Several months ago I told my wife, after much persuading, that if a dog needed adopting from Retrieving Freedom I would consider that strongly. Such a dog would be mostly trained but still would be work, and since the kids would really enjoy a dog I would be open to that. Well, months later a 19 month old yellow lab named Reece became available. She didn't quite cut it as a service dog but seemed like a wonderful addition to our home. After meeting her and having a trial stay with us, we adopted Reece.
We love Reece but taking a dog without considering the cost is foolish.
Following Jesus is a little like adopting a dog. A little. See, following Jesus requires loving Him and loving Him requires a deep commitment. 'Love' without commitment is simply 'like'.
"If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters... yes, even his own life... he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
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.'
Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he cannot be my disciple." Luke 14:26-33
There is a cost to having a dog and there is a cost to being a disciple of Christ.
On my two mile loop I walk with Reece I like to walk through the campus of my alma mater, Wartburg College. As I walk through that campus I am often flooded with memories. It's strange how buildings just blocks away can take me back in time.
Recently as I walked through Wartburg with a frozen face I considered all God has done in me since I was a student there. It was roughly half a lifetime ago that I was there as a student. In that half a lifetime God has grown me. I'm more confident in some areas and less arrogant in many others. I've been blessed with a career that was different from the one I was so sure I'd have when I walked that campus as a mere boy. I have a beautiful, caring, devoted wife at home. I am the father of three children that spark so much joy. I'm more committed to my God. I'm less a fool.
God has been faithful to do what He's promised to do and more. Every cost I have paid is mere chump change when compared to what God has done and will do for and in me.
There is a cost to owning a dog, and there are great benefits. There are costs to following Jesus, and His benefits are boundless.
Count the cost. Count the benefits. Do the math and choose to follow Jesus today.
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