golden handcuffs

Here is a devotional I just wrote for Our Daily Journey. As always, I would appreciate any constructive feedback before I submit it. Thanks!

Friends of mine are acquainted with a media leader. He invited them to appear on his television show to talk about a family tragedy, and he was so impressed by their faith in Christ that he invited them back. When I asked my friends about their experience, they said that the news anchor seemed to be in awe of their faith. He didn’t think he could ever have such faith himself, and he marveled at how they had survived—and even thrived—through an ordeal that would have ruined many families. But when they suggested that he could enjoy a similar,
sustaining relationship with Jesus, he replied that such faith was not for him, because he was “spiritual but not religious.”

Or maybe he just has too much to lose. It’s difficult to give your life to Christ if it means putting a lucrative career in jeopardy. The man knows that his conversion would make news, and may well cost him tens of millions of dollars in annual income and the fame and influence he has worked his entire life to achieve.

This cultural leader seems like King Agrippa, who though impressed by the testimony of Paul, refused to convert on the spot. He knew that Paul’s story was true, but a man in his position could not be seen considering a conversion to Christ. So when Paul told him that he knew he believed the gospel, Agrippa blurted out that he would need more time. He’s a spiritual king—he knows the prophets—but he’s not ready to become religious—a follower of Jesus (Acts 26:27-28).

What position, relationship, or status prevents you from wholeheartedly giving yourself to Jesus? When you count the cost of following Jesus, don’t merely tally up what you stand to lose from obeying him—also count what you will lose if you don’t.