Discipleship

Now large crowds were travelling with him; and he turned and said to them, ‘Whoever comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even life itself, cannot be my disciple. 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. So therefore, none of you can become my disciple if you do not give up all your possessions. ‘Salt is good; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure heap; they throw it away. Let anyone with ears to hear listen!’ Luke 14:25-35

Great Creator you call us to follow

giving us the strength and faith we need

showering us with your goodness

and calling us as your beloved family.

Yet we are often scared and reluctant

we fear losing the mediocre familiar

for the  soon to be wonderful unknown

so we cower in our comfortable darkness.

Yet you challenged your disciples then

to leave behind the safety of the harbor

setting out onto new seas and new places

knowing you would go there before them.

Help us to take up our cross daily

joyfully moving into the unknown

trusting that your love is deep and strong

carrying us to serve the world in your name. Amen.