The Journey of Following Jesus: Persistence, Priorities, and Profound Trust

Have you ever wondered what it truly means to follow Jesus? We often hear about the peace, hope, and strength that come from a life of faith. But is that the whole story? What if the path of discipleship demands more than we initially bargained for?

Let's explore a challenging perspective on what it means to be a follower of Christ – one that might make us uncomfortable, yet ultimately leads to a deeper, more authentic faith.

The Tarahumara: A Lesson in Persistence

Imagine a tribe so adept at running that they can chase down deer on foot. The Tarahumara, an indigenous people of Mexico's Sierra Madre, practice what's known as persistence hunting. With nothing but rawhide sandals and a loincloth, these incredible runners pursue their prey for hours, even days, until the animal collapses from exhaustion.

This feat of endurance seems almost superhuman. Yet, it's made possible by one distinct advantage humans have over most animals: sweat glands. While a cheetah may outrun us in a sprint, we can outlast it in a marathon.

What does this have to do with following Jesus? More than you might think.

The Unexpected Journey of Faith

When we think about following Jesus, our minds often jump to the positives – peace that surpasses understanding, hope in the darkest times, and the power of the Holy Spirit. These are beautiful truths, but they're not the whole picture.

What about when following Jesus looks less like a buffet of blessings and more like a grueling ultramarathon? What happens when our faith journey demands sacrifice, struggle, and self-denial?

In Luke 14, we find Jesus addressing a large crowd of followers with some shockingly harsh words:

"If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple."

Talk about a mood killer! Why would Jesus say something so extreme? Is He actually advocating that we hate our families?

The Cost of Discipleship

Jesus isn't literally telling us to hate our loved ones. Instead, He's using hyperbole to emphasize a crucial point: our love for Him should be so profound that, in comparison, even our deepest earthly affections should pale.

He goes on to illustrate this with two mini-parables about counting the cost – one about building a tower, another about going to war. The message is clear: following Jesus isn't a decision to be made lightly. It requires careful consideration of what we're willing to give up.

Why such a strong stance? Because Jesus knew that good things often get in the way of the best thing.

When Good Becomes God

Sometimes, it's not the bad things that derail our faith, but the good things that subtly take precedence. Sports commitments, family time, the search for the "perfect" church – these aren't inherently wrong, but they can slowly edge out our commitment to Christ and His community.

Our lives are shaped by what we love most. What we prioritize reveals what truly holds our heart. Jesus is calling us to examine our lives and ask: Are there areas that are off-limits to God?

The Disciples' Devotion

At this point, you might be thinking, "This sounds awful! Why would anyone choose such a demanding path?" It's a fair question, but perhaps we're looking at it from the wrong angle.

Instead of asking, "How can God demand so much?" we should be asking, "Do we believe Jesus is that good?"

Consider the disciples. All but one died violent deaths for their faith. John, the sole exception, survived being boiled in oil only to be exiled. What could compel people to endure such suffering? Only one thing: they had experienced Jesus and found Him to be worth everything.

Trusting the Person, Not the Path

Here's the key to following Jesus through both the mountaintops and valleys: we trust the Person, not the path. We follow Him not because life becomes predictable or easy, but because we trust His character even when we don't understand the journey.

The Apostle Paul captured this sentiment beautifully in Philippians 3:7-8:

"I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ."

A Call to Reflection

As we conclude, let's take a moment to reflect on our own journey of faith:

1. Are there areas of your life that you've kept "off-limits" to God?
2. How does your prioritization of Jesus compare to other good things in your life?
3. Do you trust Jesus enough to follow Him even when the path seems difficult or unclear?

Remember, following Jesus isn't about achieving a perfect record of church attendance or never struggling with priorities. It's about cultivating a heart that values Christ above all else, a commitment that perseveres like the Tarahumara runners, and a trust that holds firm even when the path ahead is uncertain.

May we all grow in our ability to say, like Paul, that knowing Jesus is of infinite value – worth any cost and any sacrifice. For in losing our lives for His sake, we truly find them.