The Price We all must pay

I think most of us all have an idea of what we need to give up to be a better a disciple of Jesus Christ. There seems to always be something we could be doing more or less of to follow the Savior in a more substantive way.
The word "disciple" implies that we embrace the teachings of Jesus Christ and assists in spreading those teachings. I have considered many times the qualities that are necessary to be considered a true disciple of Jesus Christ based off the teachings of Jesus Christ as recorded in the New Testament.

I feel that a disciple of Jesus Christ recognizes and prioritizes that which is most important,
I feel that a disciple of Jesus Christ is willing to sacrifice his time and comfort to assist those that are within his circle of influence.
I feel that a disciple of Jesus Christ is disciplined enough to ignore insidious distractions and put God's work ahead of his or her worldly desires.
I feel that a disciple of Jesus Christ is strictly obedient to the commandments he or she has covenanted to keep.
I feel that a disciple of Jesus Christ is faithful enough to forsake everything he has to know Christ.


Certainly this is not all that is required to be a true disciple, but it is a start. As I consider the above list I consider that requirement that has been imposed upon us to forsake all. I question whether or not I have the faith. Perhaps ill never know until I'm put into the position to sacrifice those things that are dearest to me. However, I don't know what they future holds, but I don't think the Lord will ask us many of us to sacrifice our lives or the lives of our loved ones. Elder M. Russell Ballard explained, The Lord isn’t asking us to load up a handcart; He’s asking us to fortify our faith. He isn’t asking us to walk across a continent; He’s asking us to walk across the street to visit our neighbor. He isn’t asking us to give all of our worldly possessions to build a temple; He’s asking us to give of our means and our time despite the pressures of modern living to continue to build temples and then to attend regularly the temples already built. He isn’t asking us to die a martyr’s death; He’s asking us to live a disciple’s life.


I feel at this point of my life God needs me to sacrifice my time, my sins, and my means. I know that I don;t sacrifice neatly enough of time serving or attending the temple. If I have learned one thing in my short time on this Earth it is that as we serve of our fellow man we begin to see them as Christ sees them, and, as a result, we understand how he understands, we judge how we judges, and we become even as he is. 


As I consider the principle of sacrifice I reflect on the story of the young rich man who walked grieving because of his unwillingness to give up all that he had. I hope that I will never have to know how that young man felt.