Estimating the Cost

I was reading Luke’s gospel this morning and some words jumped out at me.

“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 foundations 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.” (Luke 14:28-30)

These words are in a context of Jesus teaching his followers that it costs to follow him. Jesus is not looking for a naïve commitment that expects all to be easy because we follow him. (On the other hand, don’t get me wrong. Joy and deepest blessing are experienced when we follow Jesus.)

I know it is summer time and we are all trying to catch some sunshine and relax as much as possible. Even summer is a “take up your cross and follow Jesus” time of year. The whole of life, during any season, is a time to ask the question, “Lord, what are you up to? How may I partner with You?” These questions can be followed by a question to self, “Do I know what I am getting myself into and am I still willing?”

Summer can be a time to back up and take stock of life. There is often break in routine. Time is spent in warm and comfortable places where we experience beauty and can pay attention to the whisperings of God.

As a community we have felt that God is talking to us about expanding the reach of our local church so that we also touch downtown Ottawa. The costs of this decision are significant. There are relational costs. We will not be configured in such a way that all of the same people are in the same place at the same time. There are financial costs. There are leadership costs. As leadership is stretched between two campuses there will be all kinds of room for people to step into places of responsibility in our church.

May I encourage you, as you move into the days of summer, to keep your local church, Sunnyside Wesleyan, in mind? When you picture us, would you picture yourself as very much part of Sunnyside, because you are! And with that picture in mind, keep asking questions.

Lord, what are you up to in my church?

How may I partner with You there?

Those questions may be accompanied by a prayer: “Help me to estimate and accept the cost.”