What Will Following Christ Cost You?

Finally, the frustration was too much. “All my time is spent in slave labor!” complained the Czech prisoner, Brother Zavarsky. “Ten hours a day I weave baskets, which the Communists sell for good money. Why did I study so much to be a pastor? Those miserable ones in the service of Communism have high positions at the church now. They preach, they advise, they feed the flock. And I suffer.”

    “Why do you complain?” said another Christian at the prison. “God doesn’t need your sermons or your theology. The puppets of Communism do this work. But they cannot share the sufferings of the Savior. This is the main promise that one should give at ordination. Did you never preach about enduring sorrows for Christ? Thank God he has given you now the opportunity to fulfill what is the most valuable part of any sermon.”
   

Chastened, Zavarsky no longer complained about being in prison or the long days of labor. After leaving prison, Zavarsky could not continue his work as a pastor because his imprisonment had left him very ill. But visitors to his bedside did not find a beaten and ruined man. They saw a man whose face shone with love for the Savior. He confessed his life had not been lost or stolen from him. He gave it up willingly to help Jesus carry his cross.

What will cause people to willingly take a loss on a business deal so that they can give generously? What will cause people to leave their Christian homeland for a pagan foreign nation? What will cause someone to die rather than give in to temptation? It’s extreme commitment to the person of Christ. They see an opportunity for spiritual gain in every personal loss. They are willing to take a personal hit to their wallet, schedule, plans, comforts, and conveniences in order to advance the kingdom of God. How do you express your extreme devotion? Do others think you’re crazy for the level of your commitment? “Losing it” for Jesus means heaven’s gain.

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