Daily devotional: The cost of being Jesus' disciple

Scripture
"But don't begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?"
Luke 14:28 NLT (see vv.25-35)

Observation
When telling people about following Jesus, we usually focus on the blessings--which of course are incredible. But we don't often talk about what Jesus said is the cost of being His disciple.

• v.26 says we must love Him so much that we hate everyone else by comparison.
• v.27 says we must carry our own cross and follow Him.
• v.33 says we cannot become His disciple without giving up everything we own.
• v.35 talks about being worthless if we lose our "saltiness."

These are steep costs, not to be taken lightly. I certainly do not yet fully understand the extent to how this applies, and what behavior and thought patterns still need to be adjusted in my life.

Application
Meditate on this. Pray for the Holy Spirit to change me so that I will be the disciple I desire to be.

Prayer
Lord, I so need Your help on this teaching. Please continue to impress on me the extent of what it means. Please change me to be a willing and fully committed disciple, and please teach me and use me for your purposes. I completely surrender myself to You. I trust You.