There are quiet moments—between the noise and the next task—when we hear it again: “Come, follow Me.” It’s not shouted. It’s not rushed. Just a steady invitation from Jesus. Reassuring, yes. But also demanding. He asks for our attention, our trust, and sometimes, our willingness to walk roads that feel long and lonely.
This is what Dietrich Bonhoeffer called the “cost of discipleship.” Not to scare us off, but to draw us closer to the heart of Christ. To follow Jesus—especially in places where things feel dry, or progress feels slow—can be hard. You may know the ache of being misunderstood, the weariness of doing good work that seems unnoticed, or the quiet grief of letting go of comfort or approval.
But here’s the truth: every cost carries a promise. Jesus never sends us out alone. His Spirit goes ahead of us. His mercy walks beside us. His love holds us up. “If anyone wants to follow Me,” He says, “let them take up their cross daily.” That cross isn’t just a burden—it’s a signpost. A reminder that Jesus is with us in the struggle, in the sacrifice, and in the slow work of love.
Bonhoeffer reminds us: we don’t walk this road to earn anything. We walk it because Jesus already has. He’s inviting us to let go of the life that keeps us stuck, and receive the life that sets us free. He meets us—in classrooms, in kitchens, in quiet corners of our day—with a love that doesn’t quit and a presence that steadies.
So let’s keep encouraging each other. The path of faith may be narrow, and it may cost us something—but it leads to joy. To surrender. To life. Every small act of kindness, every whispered prayer, every faithful step matters. It’s seen. It’s held. And it will bear fruit.
If you’re feeling tired, you’re not alone. We walk this road together—held by grace, shaped by the cross, and sustained by resurrection hope. May you feel Christ near today. May His kindness surprise you. And may you know that nothing offered in love is ever wasted.
