By Staff Writer, Matt Osborne Conference realignment in college football has dominated the headlines over the past few weeks. Throughout the offseason, these teams, in particular, have announced their plans to leave their current conference homes: Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington are exiting the Pac-12 for the Big Ten, while the Big 12 is preparing to add Arizona, Arizona State, BYU, Cincinnati, Colorado, Houston, UCF, and Utah to help counteract the loss of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC. All of these changes don't even factor in the numerous rumors floating around the sports world, such as Stanford and California looking to join the ACC, and Florida State trying to find a way out. In the midst of all this conference realignment craziness (seemingly driven by financial motives), Missouri head coach, Eli Drinkwitz, shared his thoughts on the impact these massive changes will have on student-athletes as a whole at a recent press conference: “Did we count the cost for the student-athletes involved in the decision? I’m not talking about a financial cost, I’m talking about did we count the cost for the student-athletes involved in this decision. What cost is it to those student-athletes? We’re talking about a football decision but what about softball and baseball who have to travel cross-country? Did we ask about the cost of them?” Whether or not you favor the changing college football landscape, Drinkwitz certainly brings up a good point. The decisions will most likely have a significant impact not just on the football programs, but on entire athletic departments. While wondering if all of the schools involved have taken the proper time to assess the potential impact and to “count the cost” of chasing after more money, I'd like us to unpack how Jesus also used the phrase, "count the cost" when talking about making the most important decision we could ever make: to follow Him. In Luke 14:27-28 (ESV), Jesus tells us, “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. 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?” Just a few verses later, in Luke 14:33 (ESV), Jesus adds, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be My disciple.” Jesus’ call to discipleship is radical. He clearly says that if we truly want to follow Him, we must be ready to take up our cross and give up everything we have. This doesn’t mean we shouldn't have any possessions, but it does mean that Jesus isn't interested in a half-hearted commitment. He wants people to know that a life spent following Him isn't easy. In fact, the Bible promises that followers of Jesus will face many difficulties and challenges while attempting to walk in a manner pleasing to God. 2 Timothy 3:12 (NLT) says, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” Jesus remarks in John 16:33 (NKJV), “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” Make no mistake about it, numerous blessings come along with following Christ. But, simultaneously, many of those blessings are often best expressed in how God sanctifies us and walks with us through our suffering. The words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (ESV) perfectly reflect these truths: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” We must intentionally “count the cost” of following Jesus, recognizing there will be much difficulty that comes as a result of our faith. However, we must also intentionally “count the reward” of what we gain in Christ when we lay aside the things of this world to follow after Him. Jesus explains the value of a relationship with Him in Matthew 13:44 (NIV): “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” The man in this parable understood that gaining the treasure of the kingdom of heaven would cost him everything. But he also understood that the value of what He'd gain would far surpass everything he was giving up. This is why he was able to give up everything with joy. Today, let's wholeheartedly acknowledge that nothing on this earth comes close in comparison to the value of being reconciled to God through Jesus. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son to make a way for me to be reconciled to You. I know that suffering is part of following You, and I thank You for going through the trials with me as I become more like Jesus. Help me to count the cost of following You, and to recognize that nothing is more valuable than knowing You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR PACKS:
1. In what ways have you faced suffering or persecution as a follower of Jesus?
2. How has God helped you walk through these difficult situations?
3. Why do you think you should remind yourself of both the cost and reward of following Jesus?
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