I enjoy watching HGTV. I am especially hooked on any shows that feature home renovations. Often I find one which will feature a homeowner who begins a project but gives up somewhere in the midst of the project and usually when the mess is at its worst.
One day, Jesus addressed a large crowd which had been following Him. Jesus was a popular guy. But He knew something many in the crowd did not yet realize – the cost of following Him. So in telling them to follow Him, he also said …
“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)
Jesus was not looking for a hasty or emotional decision. He was looking for those who would be faithful to Him, choosing to stick with Him no matter how difficult the days would become.
Let’s face it – Jesus was exciting. Miracles were happening and He was turning the social order upside down.
But Jesus knew all things and He knew what lay ahead for His band of brothers in the short years ahead – ridicule, rejection, persecution, disappointments, and death.
In her book, Taming the To-Do List
“It matters to Jesus that we finish what we start. And it matters that others will look at our lives and see how well we follow through on our commitments. And one way we finish well is to count the cost of our choices.” (page 52)
Taming The To-Do List addresses the fact that we are carrying a burden each day we truly cannot meet. We have more demands on our lives than ever before. But are we counting the cost and doing our best work? This is the one of the questions Glynnis explores.
This book is rich with solid and biblical wisdom to help every woman prioritize her life. The suggestions will help many to choose their best work over their busy work.
We all have choices to make each day as to the responsibilities and activities we will do. We all are given the same 24 hour segment of time, called a day. How will we spend it? The choice is ours to make. And we make it every single day.
God has placed potential in each of our lives to fulfill His purposes while here on earth. But we are the ones who must make the determination to steward our stories well.
May we make Him a priority in our lives each day.
May we not leave any projects left unfinished.
Calculate the cost.
This is Day 6 of 31 Questions Jesus Asked. You can find the entire series here.
Today I am joining … Three Word Wednesday and Wedded Wednesday and Tell His Story and Women With Intention and Literacy Musing Mondays and Booknificent Thursdays and First Friday Book Faves .
*** I received a copy of this book from Revell for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.
This is so timely. Perfect words for a situation I’m dealing with right now. God is so good to have your post right before mine at Women with Intention Wednesday! Thanks for sharing!
It is amazing how through the linkups we find the word meant for us. Blessings!
Great words here, and perfectly picked for me! Thank you so much for them, Joanne. I’m reading this book too, and learning much. So glad I’m following you today at Jennifer’s. It’s always a joy to visit you here, friend! Bless you!
Julie, I so enjoyed this book. It was so practical yet also offered deeper applications. Here’s to us taming our lists & doing what’s best!
The whole concept of counting the cost is interesting, Joanne, for it’s not a one time deal but a process that seems to go on and on. You’ve raised some interesting questions in my head this morning.
And as ever, I am glad I’ve stopped by to glean from the wisdom you share …
Blessings!
Linda, you are so right – it is to be a constant thing in our lives. I am still mulling it around in my own head this morning 🙂 Grateful you stopped!
I needed to read this today, Joanne! I’m in the middle of counting the cost for a decision I have to make and appreciate the encouragement to make sure I can finish what I start.
Holly, we can start off with the best of intentions & then fade off. This portion challenged me to desire to finish well for Him. May He guide you in your decision!
CALCULATE THE COST. Those three words struck me in a mighty way this morning. And Taming the To-Do List sounds like a good book. 🙂 Thanks for linking up at #ThreeWordWednesday.
Kristin, I love the 3 words which came to your mind. It was a wonderful book in that it was chock full of both practical & spiritual applications. Have a great Wednesday!
We truly do need to look at the time in our day and what we attempt to accomplish as “stewardship” to the Lord as well, Joanne. I feel like my youngest son (who is 19) needs to learn how to do this better. I feel as if I haven’t intentionally taught him how to order his day. He has this contract job with Boeing (crazy, I know, that a 19 yo would have that!) but he’s also taking a couple of online classes–to keep up with his degree. (He’s returning to the campus in Jan). But then he’s also got some other major obligations in his life and this exhausts him because he’s not always disciplined about how he uses his time. Did I just vent/complain/worry?! Yep! And I’m not supposed to do that either … since my post was on trusting God more and being grateful. 😉 Well, thanks for the place to unload, now I need to go change my attitude! Thanks so much for your inspiration, sweet friend!
Beth, I cannot help but wonder if the ability to steward our time comes with experience. We would so love for our children to learn this & yet I think time is the best teacher. May we all learn to manage our schedules & responsibilities so they don’t deplete us & render us unproductive. It is always wonderful to join you!
Ugh, that was convicting. And needed. Thanks for sharing this at Booknificent Thursday this week!
Tina
Tina, I am finding the questions which Jesus asked then to be just as convicting now. What do they say … there’s nothing like a good question posed to make one think 🙂 Blessings!
Joanne, I’m featuring you tomorrow 🙂 Thanks for linking up at WWIW! 🙂
Jenny, what a surprise to wake up & read this. It is an honor & I am grateful for the feature. It is always a joy to join you each week!
What a great emphasis from your reading of Glynnis’s book! (I’m putting my review out today!) So glad that you were featured at Jenny’s place. Somehow I had missed this one!
Her book was so practical & yet so needed. I enjoyed it very much!