Count the Cost

This week I talked with my younger brother, who is leaving for his 6^th deployment to the Middle East. He will be gone for about four months and is leaving behind his precious 5-year-old son and lovely wife. I am so proud of my little brother, Jon-Mark, as he serves in the Air National Guard as a C-130 Pilot. He has flown military personnel and equipment in hostile territory, brought home the precious bodies of American servicemen and women who gave their lives oversees, delivered desperately needed American Aid to tsunami and earthquake disaster zones around this world, and has flown through the flames and billowing smoke of the CA forest fires. He follows in the footsteps of my late grandfather, Lt. Col. Fred Koetitz who was an Airforce pilot during the Korean & Vietnam wars. I am grateful for their service and can appreciate the sacrifices they have made.

My brother, like so many other active duty military personnel, sacrifice many of the things we all take for granted. His time away from those he loves and comforts of home. For months at a time, he serves 24-7 at any place in this world. He goes to bed at night, or day, without the comfort of his wife. He misses out for months at a time to see his son grow and play. He serves in areas where there is nothing familiar about the people, food, culture and climate. He eats in a mess hall. He often serves in hostile countries or territories with an aggressive enemy. His daily job often puts his life at risk. The long months of separation, the stress of military service, the added burden of spouses (acting as single-parents) and children (missing their parent) at home is a great sacrifice for the whole military family.

As Christian men we are called into service for Christ. I wonder if we fully appreciate the sacrifices that may follow in pursuing to be a disciple of Christ. We correctly honor missionaries and their sacrifices of the comforts of home. We may honor pastors and Christian non-profit leaders who dedicate their lives to the service of others, but what about the average Joe Christian? Do we even anticipate that sacrifice might be a part of being a disciple of Christ. Jesus addressed this issue in Luke 14:25-34 to the crowds who followed Him and detailed the costs of discipleship. Jesus made statements of: If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple (26), Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple (27) and So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple (33). Wow! A thorough breakdown of this passage and its application could be a full sermon, but essentially Jesus is laying down the high cost of discipleship that He should be the first and foremost priority in our lives. The cost of discipleship is our full devotion, worship and service to Him as our Lord and Savior even if that may require some sacrifices of our time, comforts, possessions and will.

A challenging question for each of us: What sacrifices are we willing to go through in our pursuit of being a fully devoted follower of Christ?

Love, prayers of protection and gratitude to my Little Brother in his devotion and service to our Nation. Love you JM!