“I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.’” — Muhammad Ali
Every accomplishment, every activity, every possession, and every relationship each has a cost and a benefit.
The prize fighter Ali knew that the great accomplishment of a world championship of boxing would come at the high cost of rigorous and relentless training. The world is full of people who have underachieved simply because they were not willing to do the unpleasant, difficult steps to become who they were meant to be and to achieve the goals along the way that lead to success in life.
Every activity in which we participate is the same. Going to the movies has a cost and a benefit. The same is true with our possessions. Sometimes folks pay more than what something is worth at face value because they may get an added intangible benefit. For instance, wearing a certain brand of clothing or watch, driving a certain car, or living in a certain neighborhood might seem of greater value than just the base value of the item.
Before we invest in something, we count the cost to see if it is worth it, and if we are willing or able to pay the price.
Jesus said, “For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it?” (Luke 14:28)
There’s a hidden meaning here … You and I have enough resources to do lots of things in life. But only one had the ability and willingness to accomplish the redemption of mankind from sin. That was God. So, he “counted the cost,” which was the life of his son. And he was willing to pay thar price. The benefit of God’s restoring the relationship between himself and his people came at a high cost.
There are certain things that we can’t achieve on our own, because it is not within our ability to accomplish or we are unable to pay the price. The cost is too high. Salvation is one of those things.
Did God achieve the goal of restoring our relationship to him? Yes, he did. The cost was extreme. He sent his son, “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:2)
Because of what was achieved “for” you, new doors are open “to” you. I would define success as living a life of deeply and fully loving God and passionately loving others with the love he gives us. There is a great cost and sacrifice for us in this. But his cost was infinitely higher. And the benefit is too extraordinary to measure.
The saying, “God helps those who help themselves” is not biblical. It is the other way around! God gave “his help” up front, for free. That’s what opens the door for us to achieve greatness. Once we receive this gift of salvation, we learn that we will have to make sacrifices in order to accomplish the purposes that God placed within us. But it is well worth it for us, just as it was for him.
Is there something difficult, unpleasant, or sacrificial that you need to do that has a higher purpose? Jesus set the example and unlocked the door for you to do that.
Have a blessed day,
Chaplain Mark