“Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Won’t he first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
Luke 14:31
Jesus uses an example of planning on a large scale to teach people the importance of being intentional in our faith lives. He tells us that we must analyze the situation in order to follow Him as if we were preparing for battle – because we are! Jesus wants us to be disciples that know their responsibility and the task they face in the world.
Jesus doesn’t tell us this to scare us off, but He doesn’t want us to go into the fight against evil uninformed. Just as the king in His lesson considers his resources, we must be aware of the gifts and graces we are given and use them judiciously. Confronting the wrongs of the world is not something we do without first determining how to use God’s blessings to deal with them.
Jesus wants us as prepared as possible for what He calls us to do. We must train and study, and then go to use His strength and love to bring the Good News to the world. Jesus tells us it won’t be easy, and we may not know all the answers, but we do know we can trust His promises forever.
Loving Lord, we are grateful to be called for Your work in the world. Help us to use everything You have given us intelligently to accomplish Your plan for us. Amen.