Counting the cost before beginning anything.

     Sheldon, in his book In His Steps, challenges his readers to ignore the cost and just do what Jesus wants us to do.  The costs are minuscule when compared with the benefits of just obeying whatever Jesus wants us to do.  I'm not suggesting we ignore the larger picture or even the small details.  Nor am I suggesting that we don't plan or have some part in planning.  What I am suggesting is we take one step back from the way we previously taken and see the fault in our planning.  By doing so we can be more effective people in every aspect of life.  That's what Jesus wants for us and so should we. 
     During a conversation with another therapist the issue of prenuptial agreements came up.  He asked me what I thought about advising Christian couples of either having such an agreement or to not have such an agreement.  Biblically, I told him, there is no basis for prenuptial agreements of any kind.  The Bible is clear that the two become one and so does everything they have.  In agreements where there are other conditions (vanity items like weight parameters) no such agreement remotely reflects God's will for us in marriage.  He was taken aback from what I said.  I think most counselors would agree with him (and maybe a lot of pastors).  We, as a Christian people, are so concerned and focused on keeping what we have at all cost that love is circumvented for the sake of a three year olds' cry of "Mine!"
     The counting of the cost process should only occur once.  That would be when we consider what is required of us in surrendering our lives to Jesus.  With prosperity preaching and wealth management as Sunday School curriculum today it's no wonder we miss the point.  It's not just about forgiveness of sins though that is vital.  It's not just about repenting of the way we previously lived though that is essential as well.  It's certainly not about being in church on Sunday and living as we want the rest of the week.  So, what is salvation all about?  Salvation is about surrender.  There are New Testament stories of Jesus confronting those who would follow him but...  Following Jesus means abandoning me and any form of me from the past.  Being a new creation in Christ means we belong to him who can save our souls and keep them for eternity. 
     Once we count the cost of belonging to Jesus, we need to count the cost of living our own lives with the knowledge that we do belong to Jesus.  In today's world we carry around our calendars, have our lives gravitate around sports, shopping, showing off what we possess and a thousand other things that have in no sense honor for Jesus.  Counting the cost before beginning weeds out the faint of heart.  Go to the mission field?  Called to teach Sunday School?  Sell what you have and give to the poor?  Take care of the widow and the orphan?  Lay hands on the sick and see them healed?  Love the unlovable?  I don't care how you think you can orchestrate your life.  You cannot do what Jesus wants you to do unless you have surrendered to him after counting the cost of dying to self. 
     Surrender sets the stage for life!  Surrender lets the Holy Spirit have the freedom to move around and orchestrate Gods will in our lives and the lives of those around us.  Think John the Baptist.  Think Jeremiah.  Think Jesus.  Choosing to surrender leads to a life we cannot plan for, execute or bring to completion.  Why?  Because we aren't leading ourselves anymore.  When God leads us in His ways, it's no longer the world we live in but His world we are living in.  The rules are different and the costs are high in the lost souls around us.  Counting the cost at the time of salvation (seriously) leads to a life of not having to count the cost.  Just what do we have to lose and what do we have to gain?  Life!