I came across an interesting article about naval recruits.  In general, there are two types of people who walk into a recruiter’s office.  Some know what type of job they want to do when they enter the building and then there are the others who are simply more curious about jobs and opportunity are available.  Both groups of people do want to serve the country and find some kind of training, skill set or education through their service.

The interesting thing is the article states that there is a subset of people who think they are ready but in reality, they are not truly prepared for the task or challenge.  This is where people’s desire to serve can be upended, because they are not ready to meet the standards.  That could be a harsh wake up call.

It makes me wonder about people who seek to follow Jesus.  In a way they enter the recruiter’s office to see about committing themselves to the task of serving the King.  Some people are just curious wanting to know more about the benefits than the actual cost of serving.  Who would fall into that thinking we might ask?  One such person comes to mind:

“Just then someone came up and asked Him, ‘Teacher what must I do

to have eternal life?’  ‘Why do you ask Me about what is good?’

He said to him, ‘There is only one who is good.  If you want to enter into life,

keep the commandments.’  ‘Which ones?’ he asked Him. Jesus answered:

‘Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness;

honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.’

‘I have kept all these,’ the young man told Him. ‘What do I still lack?’

‘If you want to be perfect,’ Jesus said to him, ‘go, sell your belongings

and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.

Then come follow Me.’  When the young man heard that,

he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.”

Matthew 19:16-22

This young man knew he had what it would take to be a follower of Jesus, after all he had a good track record and seem to be at the top of his class.  The problem was that he did not understand the true cost of following Jesus.  He assumed that he had made himself ready and serve-worthy when in reality, he didn’t understand the price or cost to be paid.  The result is that he walked away because he was not ready, nor was he willing to take the action necessary to align himself with the requirements of the recruiter.

Too many people today want the benefit of being connected to Jesus and His Kingdom but are not willing to give up everything to follow Jesus.  We are called to share the Gospel, but we must share the full Gospel and what it means to follow Jesus wholeheartedly!  Otherwise, the recruits will not be fully committed!