The Cost of Living

I was reminded this morning of the cost of living.  Every day it seems as though prices are rising.  Gas goes up a lot and comes down a little.  It cost's more to eat, it even costs more to breath.  My health insurance premiums keep going up and I barely use them.  There is a cost for everything so why should being a Christian be any different?  Luke 9:23 says "Then he said to them all: 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me'."  Daily is the key word here.  Every day, the cost of following Jesus seems to increase.  But every day the benifit increases also.  This past Sunday, our preacher at The Oasis Christian Church, talked about choices.  We make the choice to be happy, sad, or any other emotion.  It is all a choice.  Just like picking up my cross every day; it is a choice.  Sometimes it is not a easy one; but is is a choice.  Today I woke up tired and would really prefer to take my family fishing rather than to go to work.  I just feel kind of blah towards anything but playing.  Those are the days that I have to remind myself that I have to pick up my cross and follow Him.  Considering the price Jesus paid, there really is no price too high for me.