A Small Spark - Counting The Cost
Lucy Holt
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?’
Luke 14: 28
One of the things I have learned over the last year is that it's possible to be positive but still take time to recognise honestly our present challenges. I value being grateful and looking on the bright side but that can sometimes mean I tend to want to skip straight to the happy answer in difficult times.
Recently in Chemistry, I've been teaching about energy profile diagrams and the calculations for how much energy is needed and given out in chemical reactions. When we light a candle, it gives out light and heat by burning fuel. In order to do that it first needs to break apart the chemical bonds in the wax. This won't happen by itself, which is why candles need to be lit with a match.
What this means is that there is no shortcut to the light. First energy is needed, you have to go through the process of breaking the old bonds, then the new can form releasing energy and light.
There are many stories in the Bible which describe people persevering through challenging wilderness times - their old character, and self, broken as they cry out to God for help. Moses in the wilderness, Joseph in prison in Egypt, Naomi widowed with only her daughter-in-law Ruth left to help her, Job as he loses everything he has.
In the new Testament we see Paul face prison and many disasters, and of course Jesus himself pass through Gethsemane and the crucifixion. The Bible is overall a story of hope, rescue and renewal - but doesn't shy away from describing the painful path it may take to find healing.
Over the last couple of years I've been through a lot of changes and often wanted to shortcut the process I am in. I'd really like to be able to just know the answers and then be able to skip straight to the point where things are sorted.
Instead I have to go at the pace that things happen at - gradually learning healthy life habits, exploring career options, doing home improvements, becoming a more patient parent and wife. I've learned to let go of things which are in the past, and be willing to wait for God to light the next spark at the right time.
In Philippians 3, Paul also talks about weighing up the value of his past and future life:
'But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.'
Philippians 3: 13-14
This week notice the cost you feel in following Jesus, in doing what you know is right and growing in the fruit of the Spirit. It's allowed to be hard. Also trust God for the new light He will light, and ask Him to give you hope as you wait.
