Dintey Moore

This is currently what is stewing in my brain...

"The cost of following Jesus is high."

This was a note written in my study Bible in Luke 9 when the Samaritan village rejects Jesus.

The cost of following Jesus is high.
Is "high" synonymous with "hard"?
Matthew 7 tells us that the gate is narrow and the road is hard that leads to life.

So my question is this: Should my life be hard? Always?

I understand the concept of seasons -- that God gives us seasons of peace, seasons of trial, seasons of harvest, and so on.
And yet, my life isn't hard. Does this mean I'm living it wrong?
Jesus tells us that we will be hated on account of him.
HATED.
As my third grade teacher once told me, hate is a strong word.
But we are going to be hated. Does this mean we should be hated? And if we aren't, are we doing something wrong?

Now, I may be oblivious, but I'm pretty sure I'm not hated -- especially not for my faith. I could be wrong. There could be some people out there whom I've crossed or said something to offend them that has left a lasting imprint on their minds/hearts; but I have never been directly persecuted for my faith.
I'm not sure I'm paying the full price of being a Christian right now. What is it really costing me to live for Christ? What am I sacrificing?
I'm also not exactly sure that this road I'm traveling on is hard. Sure there are bumps, unexpected turns, potholes, and barbed wire fences; but I'm not positive that my life is as hard as it should be.

Is this a lack of courage?
"The righteous are as bold as a lion."
Am I kitten?

Are we to ask God to narrow our path, and make us broke and hated?

Or are we to simply walk in his footsteps and expect bad things to happen?
I believe God blesses, but I also believe God's sole purpose for us on this earth is not to be blessed, but to be a living sacrifice.

I don't know. I really don't. Hopefully I'll have some sort of response to these rantings by the next time I post.

Again, my new "thing" is unfinished thoughts. I'm writing to update others on my life - yes - but I'm also writing for myself, to help me understand and digest all that runs through my brain. Which is way too much.

So here it is.
High. Hard. Hated.

I'd love to know what you think, either in comments, conversation, or emails.

(Oh, and the title of this post is totally dedicated to my mom, sister, and grandma.)

אהבה
Ahava.
Love.