The cost of the great debate

Let the debate begin. . .

Who likes decisions? Sometimes the choice set before us is exciting and other times it’s costly. 

When we get to a crossroads in life, there is always a choice to make. 

To go or stay. Remain grounded or fight. 

We make countless decisions on a daily basis. According to research, it’s estimated adults make 35,000 conscious daily choices. Some of these are seemingly trivial like what you’re going to eat for breakfast or should I wash my hair tonight or just use dry shampoo in the morning. While others are more significant. Where do I want to find a job and live? How much money should I put aside for retirement? Who should I marry? 

The reality of each of these scenarios is the same. Am I going to propel myself towards change or stick with my routine? And what are the costs and rewards of each decision? 

Maybe you cringe at the overwhelming options available to you and how to even make a decision.    

Let me provide a bit of consolation. It’s good to ponder and consider–though don’t take eons to decide. Choices are part of the thrill of the adventure of life! 

Without them, life would be, well, boring.

A Character’s Journey

Perhaps one of the reasons we love stories so much is because the characters are required to make decisions all throughout their journey. And as they travel down a path, we can see ourselves in them.

Maybe it’s their tendency to shrink back when they need to choose something or maybe we see ourselves in the way they galivant around, ecstatic about the unknown. 

Each choice the character makes solidifies their path. It molds them along the journey and changes their outlook on life and what they pursue. 

Those passions and trajectory do not happen overnight. It occurs from incremental decisions every day so that when the bigger choices come knocking, they have a foundation for how they will respond. 

The great debate is a decision early on in a story that a character must decide what to do with. Their current way of life has suddenly become upset by this new event, person, or place. 

They must consider the costs and benefits of stepping into a new normal and following a different journey or choose to continue their current way of life and not do anything.

You Have a Decision to Make, Too

Like characters in our favorite stories, we each have a great debate of our own to consider. 

It’s not a popular opinion or conversation to have either, but I’m going to share it anyway. Otherwise, it’s a disservice to people if they aren’t informed about the greatest decision they will ever make. 

Luke 14:28-35 (NIV) says, “‘Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? For if you lay the foundation and are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, saying, ‘This person began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand? If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace. In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. Salt is good but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.’” 

Jesus is speaking to the crowds here about the decision to follow Him. The greatest debate is this: deciding whether it’s worth it to live for God and follow Him. 

You never see a good story where a character decides to press forward in the journey only to stop halfway and say that’s it, I’m done. I’m not going to finish. There wouldn’t be a story there to tell and it would leave readers wanting more. 

In the same way, Jesus is telling us to consider what it means to follow Him. If we’re going to lace up our boots and go on the journey, we need to be all in–ready to press forward. Otherwise, if we don’t finish, it’s foolish. 

He shares what it will cost us to follow Him: giving up everything for His sake. It won’t be easy. Hardships will ensue. Suffering will come knocking.

Yet, Scripture is filled with promises of peace, joy, and hope in the midst of the trials and the assurance of a sweet reward at the end if we persevere–eternal life with God Himself. 

That indeed is part of the triumph that awaits us despite the tragedies we may face momentarily on this earth.

The great debate is on–will you stay in your comfortable way of life or will you surrender everything and follow Jesus? 

For His glory,