Skip to main content

Have You Counted The Cost?

I’m a believer and major advocate of prayer. When I pray, I pray big and bold. But I’m also mindful to check my motives and think very carefully before I ask God for anything more I want to be added to my life because now, I count the cost. 

Luke 14:28 reads, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everybody who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’ 

I believe this scripture goes beyond the surface level of building a tower. In a spiritual sense, “building” can be applied to a number of different things. If more people really understood what came with what they prayed for, they’d be careful about the kind of requests they sent up to God. I’m happy to share what some of my answered requests have brought so that this may enlighten others…

Lord, I want a full-time job.
Lord, I want a boyfriend/fiancé/husband…on second thought? Never mind. There’s just something massively liberating about being able to stack and spend my income as I please. And traveling when I want, having the luxury to not have to “check in” with anyone about how to spend my time, or deal with unsolicited input about how I choose to dress or tattoo my body and being in my own space. Did I mention I’m happily single? 
Lord, I want to be a published author. 
Lord, I want to encourage others through my gifts. 
Lord, I want to be massively successful…

Know what the requests above all have in common? 
They all cost something. 

They also come with…

Demands on your time.
Demands on your wallet. 
Withdrawals.
Showing up when you don’t feel like it. 
Pressure.
Resisting the urge to be petty or vengeful.
A steady foundation.
Sacrifice.
Commitment.
Haters.
Humbleness.
Insecurity.
Doubt.
Dealing with people who get on your nerves.
Dealing with someone you like/love getting on your nerves.
Fear. 
Failure.
Trials.
Testing.
Patience. 
Discomfort.
Stress. 
Cutting people out of your life that no longer serve a purpose in your life. 
People walking away from you. Especially people you never thought would. 
Purpose.
Fulfillment.
Refining.
Wanting to quit.
Wanting to give up.
More refining. 
Anger.
Frustration.
Pain.
Did I mention even more refining? 
Success.
Joy.
Having to transform into a different version of yourself (prayerfully a better one).
And so much more… 

So, before you go to God and ask Him for anything, make sure you’re prepared for the impact it’ll have on your life. Do you know what will come with building the new life you’re asking for? Are you prepared and ready for it? How’s your foundation? Because a new job, a new significant other, a baby, a new car, a new home, or anything else you ask for and are blessed with will require more from you. Don’t be afraid to estimate the cost. And don’t make major life decisions without first consulting with God. Be very careful what you pray for. Have you counted the cost? 




Labels:

Popular posts from this blog

Thoughts From a Black Educator: Qualified, Credentialed, and Constantly Undermined

I’m a Black educator in my fifth year of teaching middle school English, and in my third as the 8th Grade English PLC (Professional Learning Community) Lead. And while I genuinely enjoy the purposeful work I get to do, seeing the growth of my scholars, and continuing to hone my skills in a content area I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I’ve had to confront some unpleasant experiences in this space.  I’d been through much worse when I was an academic advisor at a Christian university. Racism, sexism, harassment, and workplace bullying were sadly norms in that environment. However, some of what I’ve experienced as a Black educator hasn’t been normal … It doesn’t seem normal to be the only Black educator in my department – in a predominantly Black school. One of my Black colleagues once said, “It should look like a Tyler Perry movie in here.” But it doesn’t. It didn’t feel normal being reprimanded in a meeting (during my second year of teaching) by an administrator who went in on...
Read more

Stop Saying Stupid Stuff To People Who Are Childless

I’m convinced that many people don’t think before they speak. Especially when it comes to interacting with people who don’t have children. Normally, I’ve held my peace with this and felt the need to solely address women when it comes to this topic, but lately this is a message that men can benefit from too. Stop saying stupid stuff to people who don’t have children . I know this might be a difficult task for those of you who are nosey, have concerns that have nothing to do with you, or may be unhappy in your own life, but stop with the questions, jokes, and reckless comments. Even if you believe you’re being funny, making conversation, or coming from a genuine place, you’re honestly out of line. Because someone not having children and why is none of your business. I don’t have children, and I honestly don’t know if I will, but as a woman, I’m good with my life either way. I’ll always be grateful for what I have instead of lamenting about what I don’t. Which is probably why getting olde...
Read more

Ditching Dating And Decentering Men

Today’s current dating climate is bizarre. It’s grown so bizarre, that men barely, if ever in some cases, will approach a woman in person and ask her out on a date. Instead, the new normal has become DM sliding, creeping on social media accounts, and liking photos to build romantic connections, which honestly doesn’t sound too romantic or appealing to me at all. As a child of the 90s and a teenager of the early 2000s, I miss and prefer the time when men interacted with women without hiding behind technology. There was something special about handwritten cards and notes, thoughtful dates, serendipity, and intentionality. After having some unpleasant encounters, embarrassing moments, and failed set ups (from well meaning people who believe I need to be partnered), I’ve decided, that now, at 36, to choose me. I’m ditching dating and decentering men. I’m no longer interested in meeting anyone, dating, or creating space to prioritize a relationship. I’ve never been a male-centered woman any...
Read more