Fort Collins, Colorado, has consistently been ranked one of the top places to live in the United States. I would agree! Having lived here for over 30 years, I have witnessed a lot of growth as many others have flocked to this city and surrounding area. With this influx of people, I have also seen a recent skyrocket of property costs, an increase in traffic congestion and many other problems that plague “Big” cities. Once a hidden gem, Fort Collins is drawing to itself more people than its infrastructure can handle. If these growth pains aren’t addressed, the reasons that drew people to move to Fort Collins will fade away.
Christ spoke a parable about a master who gave a great supper (starting in Luke 14:15) in which many were invited and few of those actually came. The master told his servants to go out and pull anyone that was around into the house for the supper so, as Christ said, “that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). This speaks to the Will of God the Father who “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). After Christ spoke that parable, Luke recounts that great multitudes followed after Christ (Luke 14:25). It’s to this great multitude that was flocking to Him that Christ gives another important parable. Christ states, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it” (Luke 14:27-28).
Each of us has heard the call, by God’s Will and inspiration, to seek and desire His Truth. Our minds have been opened to see THE greatest gem the creation has known—Christ. Isaiah understood this and also was inspired to give us a warning. “Therefore thus says the Lord God: ‘Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily’” (Isaiah 28:16). Simply desiring to follow after Christ is not enough to keep us retaining this knowledge. Many in this world call upon the name of Christ, but few are doing what it takes to be heard by Him.
Christ finished the parable in Luke stating, in simple terms, the requirements in following Him, “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple” (Luke 14:33). Do we have that mindset, that willingness? We all agree how great it is to live with this knowledge, to have our minds opened by God and to retain His Spirit. But do we show our gratitude in everything we do—as examples of those with God’s Spirit?
In front of another great multitude that was following Christ, He spoke a parable of a sower (starting in Luke 8:4). He explained to His disciples that while many would be drawn to the Word of God, some would not have their hearts truly committed (verse 12), some would fall away because of temptation (verse 13), and others would be unwilling to give up worldly pursuits (verse 14). Christ concludes the parable speaking to us! “But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience” (Luke 8:15).
We retain this wonderful spiritual understanding only as long as we are willing to sow spiritual fruits. If we aren’t acting like Christ, then Christ isn’t part of our lives. Each of us carries the responsibility of laying a good foundation and maintaining it. Only then can we expect the great treasure of God’s Knowledge to increase in our lives, and only then will our calling not fade away!
