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by Rev. Fr. V.V. Paulose, Toronto, Canada
"But don’t begin the construction of a building until you count the cost.” (Luke 14:28)
We are limited by space and time. Our strength is exclusively indebted to God. As God strengthen us, we are strengthened. So the kingdom, the power, and the glory of life will always be before God. Most often, jumping to do a task purely depending on our emotions and short-sighted calculations without analyzing the cost, will end in catastrophe, frustration and ultimately, failure of the venture. On snowy and icy days, the roads are in a bad condition to drive. The police control room would put the warning to the drivers, "Know your limitations and the limitations of your vehicle, and drive accordingly.” If we drive our vehicles against this warning, a crash landing is guaranteed. This is applicable in our day-to-day life. We should know who we are and where we drive our life and what are the sacrifices and costs behind it. We must carefully count the cost of becoming Christ’s disciple so that we will firmly hold our faith and won’t be tempted later to turn back. The costs may be loss of social status, wealth, money job, separation from the family or even death.
When 20 year old criminology student, Marisol Valles was sworn in as a Police Officer in drug controlled mafia world in Mexico, she became an instant celebrity because she had the guts to stand up to the drug cartel. What made her especially valiant was the fact that her predecessor as Police Chief had been kidnapped and beheaded. The new Sheriff said she would not even carry a gun, but would focus instead on community policing to cure the murderous ills. Now 5 months later, Valles hit the world news again with more ominous headlines. She has sought political asylum in the US. In her short lived career, she received reported death threats while others have been killed or fled. Now she says her government is incapable of offering her protection from murderers. She still fear for her safety in USA. The ultimate end of a job without calculating the cost of it!
“Hold firmly to the word of Life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless” (Philippians 2:16).
Jesus, let us always be aware of our limitations and be connected to your unlimited power house. Let us lead a cautious, vigilant and good life. Let all our steps be guided and calculated by you. Jesus, lift us out of our bottomless pit of failures and miscalculations. All we ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
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