We were are my wife’s family reunion over the weekend. We spent the first night with her aunt but needed more space for the second night. We did a quick internet search and found a local motel that had good ratings on Google. I am not sure who is doing the ratings, but I suspect something wasn’t right. The place was clean enough, but certainly not very comfortable or well decorated. The mattresses were the hardest and cheapest I have ever found in a motel…or anywhere. The wood flooring was poorly done. There was a cheap plastic shelving unit in every room. The curtains were homemade and didn’t quite cover the entire window. Not a great place.
This is what I learned: saving $20 wasn’t worth the trouble. The second night we moved to the Americinn down the street. It was slightly more money, but a much better experience. It might just be me, but I like walking up to a counter with people who simply work for the motel. At the other place, we walked up to a sliding window and were met by the owner, who lived inside. The smell of the cooking and sound of their children playing were somehow unsettling.
The Americinn had super friendly staff, a great continental breakfast, an indoor pool, and indoor room entrances. The beds were very comfortable and the rooms were recently updated. It was definitely worth the extra twenty dollar bill.
In every area of our lives, we are tempted to cut corners or save time. There are opportunities given to us constantly to take a seemingly easier path. Discipleship is primarily about following, but also requires a commitment to calculate the cost. Jesus was calling disciples and didn’t want them to just jump in and follow for a while then give up.
Luke 14:28 ESV – “For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it?”
I have learned that the cost can seem intimidating when presented with a less expensive option. It appears that Jesus is saying, “Check to see that you have the resources to complete the project.” I think there is more meaning than that. He is also calling us to look at the real cost of following. Taking the cheaper route might seem to make fiscal sense, but the long-term cost could be unbelievably high.
Following Him has rarely been the “cheapest” option available. The benefits of trusting Him with my whole life cannot be understated, though. He is worth whatever the cost.
SmallTownRev 