Episode 024: The Cost of Following Christ
Script
Welcome back to The Daily Spirit. Wednesday, January 7th, 2026. Five minutes of spirit-filled encouragement to kick off what I'm hearing is going to be the best day of your life.
Have you ever felt the weight of what it really means to follow Jesus? Not the comfortable version. Not the Sunday morning version. The real thing.
This week I've been reading "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. My friend Dawson recommended it. If you don't know Bonhoeffer, he was a German pastor who joined the underground resistance against Hitler. He believed it was his Christian duty to work for Hitler's defeat. He paid for that conviction with his life.
Bonhoeffer wrote something that's been sitting heavy on me: "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die."
That's intense. But it's true.
Jesus said it himself in Matthew 16:
"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self."
Here's the thing. We talk a lot on this podcast about ambition. About going after what God put in you. About being great. And I believe all of that.
But I don't want you to think it's easy.
There's a cross to carry. There are sacrifices. Things you have to turn away from. People who won't understand you. Rejection. Misunderstanding. Being the weird one in the room.
I've turned away from so many things in my life. Opportunities that looked good but weren't God. Relationships that felt comfortable but were pulling me off course. Habits that everyone else was fine with but I knew weren't for me.
It hasn't been easy.
But here's what I've learned: I delight in the Lord. I actually delight in turning away from the world because I love my Lord. The sacrifice doesn't feel like loss when you love the one you're sacrificing for.
And to the extent that I engage with the world now, it's for His glory. That's it.
Bonhoeffer knew this. He didn't resist Hitler because it was convenient. He did it because he was a disciple first. The cost was everything. But he counted it worth it.
So today, I want to ask you: what is the cost for you? What are you being asked to lay down? What cross are you being called to carry?
Don't run from it. Embrace it. That's where the real life is found.
Let's speak some truth and life over your day. Repeat after me.
I am willing to pay the cost.
I embrace the cross God has given me.
My sacrifice is worship.
I delight in following my Lord.
This will be the best day of my life.
Go get after it. God is with you. Talk tomorrow.
Substack Post
Title: Your Sacrifice Is Worship
Subtitle: On Bonhoeffer, carrying your cross, and why sacrifice feels different when you love the one you're following.
Good morning!
Have you ever felt the weight of what it really means to follow Jesus? Not the comfortable version. The real thing?
Hit play. Or keep reading below.
When Christ Calls You
This week I've been reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer's "The Cost of Discipleship." My friend Dawson recommended it.
Bonhoeffer was a German pastor who joined the underground resistance against Hitler. He believed it was his Christian duty to work for Hitler's defeat. He paid for that conviction with his life.
"Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self."
— Matthew 16:24-25 (MSG)
We talk a lot about ambition here. Going after what God put in you. Being great.
But I don't want you to think it's easy.
There's a cross to carry. Sacrifices. Things you turn away from. People who won't understand. Rejection. Being the weird one.
I've turned away from so many things. Opportunities that looked good but weren't God. Relationships that felt comfortable but pulled me off course. It hasn't been easy.
But here's what I've learned: I delight in the Lord. The sacrifice doesn't feel like loss when you love the one you're sacrificing for.
What is the cost for you? What cross are you being called to carry?
Don't run from it. That's where the real life is found.
Your Affirmations For Today:
- I am willing to pay the cost.
- I embrace the cross God has given me.
- My sacrifice is worship.
- I delight in following my Lord.
- This will be the best day of my life.
God is with you today.
Love,
Gary
YouTube
Title: THE REAL COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS | The Daily Spirit
Thumbnail Text: YOUR SACRIFICE IS WORSHIP
Description: What is Christ really asking of you? Dietrich Bonhoeffer paid for his faith with his life. Today we talk about carrying your cross.
Daily motivation for ambitious Christians. Scripture, encouragement, and affirmations to start your day.
📖 Today's Scripture: "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self." — Matthew 16:24-25 (MSG)
✊ Today's Affirmations: • I am willing to pay the cost. • I embrace the cross God has given me. • My sacrifice is worship. • I delight in following my Lord. • This will be the best day of my life.
🔔 Subscribe for daily encouragement: https://thedailyspirit.substack.com
#ChristianMotivation #DailyDevotional #Faith #Discipleship #Bonhoeffer
Podcast Show Notes
What is Christ really asking of you? Dietrich Bonhoeffer paid for his faith with his life. Today we talk about what it means to carry your cross.
Today's Scripture: Matthew 16:24-25 (MSG)
Key Takeaway: The sacrifice doesn't feel like loss when you love the one you're sacrificing for.
Affirmations:
- I am willing to pay the cost.
- I embrace the cross God has given me.
- My sacrifice is worship.
- I delight in following my Lord.
- This will be the best day of my life.
Subscribe: thedailyspirit.substack.com