Pastor Nicole Olinski

Some decisions in life are easy. Others come with a price tag so steep that it makes us pause. Following Jesus falls into the latter category. Not because He makes it complicated, but because it costs something valuable. Our comfort. Our control. Our pride.

When Jesus said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23), He wasn’t offering a convenient lifestyle upgrade. He was inviting us into daily surrender.

That phrase, take up your cross, isn’t just symbolic. It’s sacrificial. It means obedience. It means choosing a path that won't always make sense to those around us. It’s not a one-time emotional decision at a church service. It’s a daily commitment to live differently.

And yes, it comes with a cost.

What It Costs to Follow Jesus

Following Jesus will cost you something. It might cost you approval, status, or even relationships. It might challenge your career goals or stretch your comfort zone beyond what feels manageable.

We live in a culture that says:

• “Protect yourself.”
• “Do what makes you happy.”
• “Put yourself first.”

Jesus says:

• Deny yourself.
• Surrender.
• Give up your life and you’ll find it.

That’s a tension worth naming. These aren’t just opposing views. They are entirely different kingdoms. One leads to self-preservation. The other leads to eternal purpose.

Every Yes Comes With a No

Every choice has a cost. If you choose to marry, you say no to being single. If you choose to be a parent, you say no to uninterrupted freedom and sleep. If you want a job promotion, you may sacrifice popularity or ease.

The same is true for faith. Saying yes to following Jesus means saying no to your right to be always understood. To always be comfortable. To always be in control.

But here’s the paradox. In giving those things up, you gain what can’t be measured.

• You gain purpose.

• You gain peace.

• You gain a life that actually matters.

Discipleship Is Like a Gym Membership

A gym membership may only cost $10 a month. But true transformation? That costs time, sweat, and sore muscles. It takes discipline. You can’t get the benefits of health without engaging in the process.

Following Jesus is the same.

Some people want the benefits of Jesus, peace, blessing, purpose, but not the training that comes with it. They want to say, “Yes, I follow Jesus,” while still calling all their own shots. But faith doesn’t work that way.

Discipleship means submission.

It means we say, “Jesus, You lead. I’ll follow, even when it’s hard.”

A Personal Cost for a Greater Purpose

The cost isn’t theoretical. It’s personal.

One story I shared on stage was of stepping out in faith to plant a church. The timing? Not ideal. Seven months pregnant. In between homes. Living on retirement savings. Saying no to basic comforts like decorating a nursery or shopping freely.

It was a season of giving up, but not giving in. That’s what following Jesus looked like in that chapter. It was costly. But it wasn’t purposeless.

And that’s the difference. Jesus doesn’t ask us to sacrifice for nothing. He invites us to trade temporary ease for eternal impact.

The Rich Young Ruler’s Missed Opportunity

Scripture also gives us an unforgettable example. The rich young ruler.

He came to Jesus excited, full of good intentions, ready to “do whatever it takes.” But when Jesus asked him to sell everything and follow, he walked away sad. Why? Because he had another god in his life. His possessions.

Outwardly, he looked the part. But inwardly, something else ruled his heart.

Jesus wasn’t asking him to become poor. He was asking him to remove what was blocking his ability to truly follow. The man wanted the reward, but he wouldn’t pay the cost.

So the question for us becomes deeply personal.

What’s Ruling Your Heart?

If following Jesus will cost us something, the real question is this. What are you unwilling to let go of?

Is it control? Comfort? Money? Status? The approval of others?

If so, be honest about that. Because Jesus doesn’t compete for our hearts. He won’t settle for a shared throne.

But if we’re willing to surrender, to trust, and to follow, yes, it will cost us. But the gain? It’s everything.

Eternal life. Purpose. Peace. Identity. A life that isn’t driven by fear or control but led by trust and mission.

The Daily Decision That Changes Everything

This isn’t about guilt. It’s about clarity.

Jesus invites us to count the cost not to discourage us, but to prepare us. The life He offers is better than anything we’re trying to protect or cling to.

So yes, there’s a cost. But the reward is worth it. Every single time.