To build a tower

After Like 14:25-33 

To build a tower,

a house, or fortress,

you begin with

an idea, a dream,

a conviction, but

then you do what

must be done,

practically, and

tally the cost.

Without knowing

the cost, you may

start and not finish,

you may be forced

to substitute inferior

materials or turn 

to cheaper craftsmanship,

and your tower, house,

or fortress will not

weather the inevitable

storm. That’s the cost

of diligence, the cost

of discipleship, and

that’s why you count it

beforehand, because

not knowing will destroy

what you build.

 

Photograph by Victor Malyushev via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Are you serious?

After Luke 14:25-33 

Before you follow,

know the cost. And

there is a cost, always.

Can you walk away

from your parents,

from your spouse,

from your children?

Can you give up

the life you live now?

Can you bear a cross?

Can you accept the hate

and anger of those whose

ears burn when you speak?

Can you pray for those

who hate you, persecute

you, lie about you,

ridicule you, hurt you

with words, hands,

sticks, and stones?

Can you first

count the cost?

 

Photograph by Jordan Steranka via Unsplash. Used with permission.

Clicking on like

After Luke 14:25-33 

The crowds follow,

both for the miracles

(the fish, the healings)

and to see the elites

confounded (what will

this man say next?). 

They are drawn to the light,

but he knows their hearts,

ready to click on “like”

and go to the next miracle,

the next post, the next fad,

the next trending topic,

the next juicy gossip 

masquerading as news.

He stops. He turns. 

He asks, what if clicking

like means hating your

parents or children, or

giving away your 401K,

or walking into an arena

of hungry lions? Would

you still click like?

 

Photograph by Annie Spratt via Unsplash. Used with permission.