Take Up Your CrossSample

Homeless

A few years ago, I watched as a brave young man left his career to start a journey to become a pastor. We slowly became friends as he served the youth of our church. After a few years of success, he began to face struggle upon struggle.

I remember the day that he called me and said he was about to find himself jobless, churchless, and homeless. I was confused. It simply didn’t make sense. How could someone who had dedicated his life to serving God find himself in such a situation?

Surely, I thought, he must have done something to garner God’s wrath. There must have been more to the story. Yet the closer I pressed into his situation, the clearer it became that, through no fault of his own, an honest, God fearing pastor, husband, and father of two, was days away from being homeless.

Stories like this disturb our sense of justice. While we may not expect God to shower His people with riches, if we’re honest, we do hope for at least a little quid pro quo. A homeless pastor with wife and kids in tow? Something about that just doesn’t feel right. But, where does this expectation come from?

When someone approached Jesus expressing interest in following Him, Jesus didn’t paint any rosy pictures. He didn’t promise that God would take away problems or make life easier. He essentially said, “Yes. Please follow me, but not because you’re looking for an easy life, because this road will be tough.”

At times, Jesus was homeless. At times, people didn’t want to hear what He had to say. At times, people wanted to kill Him. Jesus told His disciples to expect such things.

After spending a few months sleeping in my spare bedroom, God called my friend to be the lead pastor of a wonderfully loving and growing church. While things are better for him now, I often think about the time when he was homeless. How easy would it have been for him to walk away from his calling and return to his old career? Yet he stayed the course. He knew that following Christ was worth any hardship he might face. I only hope to be able to follow his example.

What would you be willing to endure for the opportunity to follow Jesus? Where would you draw the line? Why?

For more on the cost of following Jesus listen to, “Building Your Faith” on FamilyLifeToday.com.