Topic: Plan before Execution
Bible Reading: 2 Samuel 1-3; Luke 14:25-35.
Memory Verse: “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” Luke 14:28 (KJV)
It is required that anyone intending to build a house should draw up a plan showing how he intends building the house. This way, he would have shown the drawings of how the place will look like, the structure of the building, the quantity and cost of materials needed to build the house and the estimated cost. This will enable the owner to know how much he needs to finish the desired building. This is why Jesus asked the question in Luke 14:28 (KJV), “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?” He also gave a major reason why it is necessary to do so. He said in Luke 14:29 (KJV), “Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,”
But this advice goes beyond building, it applies to virtually anything you intend doing. You need to plan what to do, how to do it, when to do it, where you will do it and also why you need to do it. Once you have been able to answer these questions satisfactorily, you can then proceed. You will not have any major surprise during the execution of your plan. And if any surprise comes up, you will be better equipped to answer it. That makes the activity process well understood before embarking on it. And one of the key benefits is that you will know whether it is something you should do at all and if so, when you should commence having considered all the likely constraints and identified the way to address them.
Similarly, if you make up your mind to follow Christ, you need to know the cost so that you will not get midway and abandon him. Following Jesus entails loving Him more than anybody or anything. You have to love everything less including yourself and love Him more. Thus, following Jesus means you must be ready to sacrifice your comfort, safety and even your life for the sake of the gospel. Just like Jesus Himself did when He showed His love for us by dying on the cross for each and everyone of us for a sin He never committed! That’s why He said in Luke 14:26 (KJV), “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.” So as a disciple of Christ you must seek first the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness above every other thing!
Prayer point: Father, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, please help me to love you more than anyone or anything else for the rest of my life.
Bro. Biodun Oyapero