Count the Cost

The meaning of counting the cost.

Purpose requires all or nothing. For one must be ready to walk the road alone and even yet lay down their own life.

A steep price to pay.

Yet, if one’s family convinced them not to pursue purpose it would be said that,

“It was out of family obligation”,

“They love them too much to see them experience the pain of failure”.

Or that “They’re too young and erratic”.

In old age, stories of past opportunities would pour out like tears of regret.

If one’s spouse, who’s loving souls were one, poured out their concern and pleaded against such a pursuit. The purpose would be buried under the house of their rotting marriage bed. For resentment would fester deep within their hearts and would hang above their heads as a reminder of the sacrificial offering made to melody a self-seeking request however naïve heart.

Purpose requires such a price for it is within the very foundation of your very DNA. The reason for your existence. The sacrificing service you were born to provide. By this fulfillment others may experience an example of what it means to be connected to your life source being at oneness with the Creator.

How often do we choose the mortal and fleeting instant gratifications of life over the eternal and full purpose endowed by the Creator.

In many instances, we have seen the infinite wisdom of the Creator play out over time. Often we don’t fully experience this realization until the final moments when circumstances seem grim as if they cannot become any worse. As if we cannot bear to experience one more disappointment. In just that appointed time we see the Creator’s divine intervention all the while revealing the evidence of his plan and purpose.

This is the cost of purpose. To bear our journey of altruism. One that invites a deeper and most intimate relationship with the Creator. Yet we avoid relishing in such opportunities because we only comprehend the pain we may feel. As if one were able to journey through this life without ever encountering the repugnant presence of pain.

We lie to ourselves more than we are aware, creating fantasies of a grand life and steering far away from any circumstances or person who is rebarbative. The insanities of life we plague ourselves with are endless and while some may think them harmless we condition ourselves for false realities and the avoidance of conflict.

For example, you set out to drive to an event. You may say to yourself, “I hope there is no traffic.” as if it was ideal to assume that you would be the only vehicle on the road. Let alone possess the ability to control the flow of traffic. You arrive at the packed-out event and circle several times around the parking lot saying, “I want to get a parking space in the front”. While heading to the concession stands, “I don’t want to wait in line at the concession stands.” Then again saying, “We need to get good seats.” As if our preferences were unique.

We’ve confused fairytales with unrealistic desires.

Even the indication of the common phrase “life isn’t fair” hints to the reality of the difficulty of life. Still, we are surprised, shocked, and awed when we experience life’s harshness.

Count the cost. We are guaranteed to experience adversity in this life. How we handle each adversity as time progresses and how we evolve through growth are connected to our belief in the importance of our purpose. For as we strive after our purpose our journey of purpose is used to refine our disposition.

Count your cost. Purpose requires all or nothing.

C.A. Taylor

April 21, 2022, 8:29 AM