Everything Has a Cost

In this life, there is a price for everything. Every decision you make costs something.

Many times my husband and I tell our four year old that every choice she makes has a consequence – good or bad.

The same goes for us.

Making a choice to get married costs money and time to plan a ceremony, honeymoon, and different events leading up to the big day. And beyond that, it costs sacrifice. Going from two to one, a united front, comes with its own challenges and blessings. But together, you are stronger.

Deciding to start a family comes with the cost of your own body as your sweet little seed uses your body’s nutrients to help it grow into a beautiful baby. Not to mention labor and delivery, healing from a c-section, and any complications that may arise from pregnancy to birth. But in the end, a miracle is born!

Becoming a parent brings to attention our own flaws and shortcomings as we struggle to find our footing with teaching and raising little humans in the will of God. But as we continue the adventure, we find that our weaknesses will become our strengths as God uses our children to help US draw nearer to Him. This, in turn, will help our children see us grow as they continue learning.

When we make the decision to follow Jesus, it requires sacrifice and brings ridicule; but it also brings some of the greatest gifts of peace, healing, freedom, eternal life, and the list goes on.

As we finished a bible study lesson today, this topic came to mind.

I realized that no matter what decision we make, there is a cost. Some of us are willing to take on sacrifices that not everyone will understand or agree with.

It’s the same with Jesus.

Jesus paid the ultimate price for us.

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was crushed for our wickedness [our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing]; The punishment [required] for our well-being fell on Him, And by His stripes (wounds) we are healed.”

– Isaiah 53:5 AMP

This cost Him His actual life.

Jesus sacrificed His body. He endured ridicule, was tortured, and died on the cross. There is no cost higher than this.

“He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed.”

– 1 Peter 2:24 AMP

HOWEVER, what came with this cost was freedom, healing, and restoration.

Without Jesus paying this price for us, we wouldn’t have freedom from sin.

Not everyone understood why Jesus would take on such a costly thing. But look at the result. We are still reaping the benefits from the price He paid!

Isn’t that the most amazing realization?!

I say all this to say, not everyone will understand your sacrifice. Whether you decide to get married or stay single. Whether you and your husband decide to have kids or not. Whether you decide to stay at home and homeschool your kids or go back to work and send your kids to school. Whether you decide to serve in your local community or become a missionary.

We all make different choices for our lives and that’s ok! God has us all taking different paths.

And yes, no matter which path you take, there is a cost.

BUT…

We have to always remember that if we are seeking God through it all, He will be there to cheer us on, help us, and guide us along this journey.

And though deciding to follow Jesus costs us, in the end, we will see the benefits and they always outweigh the cost.

Jesus paid the ultimate price and look how it changed EVERYTHING. God is so good!

Be encouraged today!

“…Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning.”

– Psalm 30:5