One thing that strikes me, is while discipleship can be frustrating and painful, the alternatives are much worse. When we disciple or get discipled, we’re following the lead of the master, to whom all authority on heaven and earth has been granted. My life has been enriched by the discipleship relationships I’ve been involved in to the point which I shudder to think what it would look like otherwise!

These words are sadly true, but do not have to be the outcome of a discipler/disciple relationship. Often the crux of blame for the failure should not merely follow upon the head of the disciple, but upon the head of the discipler. So often we are so eager to make a believer a disciple of Christ that we neglect to inform them of the dangers and hardships of following Him.

When I first committed my life to Christ, no one cautioned me that my family would be so opposed to my new life choices; that pursuing Christ and learning at His feet would put me in direct conflict with the traditions and values of my upbringing. I naively jumped head long into a new world without counting the cost of rejection and the disapproval of my family.

Zealous yet immature and rebellious, I alienated my family with my new found relationships and life. Perhaps, had I counted the cost and had more wisdom or guidance, this alienaton would not have been so great. Though estranged from my mother, I still longed to have an intimate relationship. This looking back has had severe consequences in my walk with the Lord and has held me back in stepping forward with Him. I had not counted the cost. At that time I was not worthy to be a disciple of Christ.

We are eager to tell new converts of the blessings and joys and rewards of following Christ, but we tap dance around the trials which Christ warns his disciples of from the start. We ought to be up front with those we disciple and present them with the harsh challenges of following Christ rather than hedging the truth with soft options.

In the movie Independence Day, President Whitmore rallies his battleworn freedom fighters.
“…you will once again be fighting for our freedom…Not from tyranny, oppression, or persecution…but from annihilation. We are fighting for our right to live. To exist. … We will not go quietly into the night! We will not vanish without a fight! We’re going to live on! We’re going to survive!”

This is the battle cry of the Christian discipler/disciple through Christ who strengthens me. We are fighting for freedom, not only for ourselves but also for those who are still held in bondage. Are we willing to fight for their right to be free … free from eternal separation from God? Will we live in our fortresses quietly in our comfortable Christian meetings? Will we allow those around us to perish without a fight? Who will live on – who will survive this last battle?

That is the cost – our whole life – our will – our self determination – our freedom- yes even our stuff. Have you counted the cost – it is great – but it is the reality of following Christ.