The Cost and Joy of Discipleship

Jesus never offered an easy path. His invitation is clear: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me' (Luke 9:23). This isn't a one-time decision but a daily choice to put God's will above our own. The cross represents death—to selfish ambition, to cultural conformity, to the pursuit of comfort above faithfulness. Yet this death leads to life. Paul discovered this paradox: 'Whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord' (Philippians 3:7-8). Following Jesus might cost us popularity when we refuse to join gossip. It might cost us profit when we choose honesty over shortcuts. It might cost us ease when we serve others instead of ourselves. But what we gain is infinitely more valuable: peace with God, purpose in life, and the joy of participating in His kingdom. The Amish have a saying: 'We must be in the world but not of the world.' This means engaging fully in life while maintaining different values—choosing simplicity over materialism, forgiveness over revenge, service over self-promotion. The cross we carry isn't burdensome when we remember that Christ carries it with us.