We look to the heroes of faith in the Bible. They inspire us with stories of discipline, persistence, and sacrifice. From Abraham's departure from his homeland to Moses' abandonment of security in Pharaoh's court, from David's tumultuous reign to the prophets' fearless declarations, and from the disciples' forsaking their livelihoods to Paul's renunciation of his former life, the call to faith consistently includes sacrifice and dedication.
Perhaps the greatest evidence of this call comes from Jesus himself. His invitation to discipleship is unapologetically clear, a stark contrast to sugarcoated notions of faith. He challenged followers to "deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him" (Matthew 16:24). Jesus cautioned of the hardships ahead, the absence of a place to lay their heads, and the inability to look back once the journey began (Luke 9:51-62).
The path Jesus pointed to was not a broad and easy road, but a narrow, demanding route (Matthew 17:14). As he was hated by the world, so too would his disciples be (John 15:18-25). Counting the cost before stepping into discipleship was Jesus' caution (Luke 14:25-33), urging us to contemplate the profound implications of following him.
To answer God's call is to accept the necessity of sacrifice, however big or small. Perhaps it's as modest as sacrificing sleep to engage in morning devotion or committing an hour monthly to support a social ministry. It might involve humbling oneself to accommodate differing worship styles or even dedicating vacation time to self-funded mission work. It could mean leaving behind a secure career to enter full-time ministry.
But make no mistake. To answer God’s call on your like requires sacrifice.