It is easier to go on a journey when you know where you are going. Most of the time, you will know what to expect. 

Merchant receives a call from the Creator. A call to scan the world for the precious pearl. He receives the summons but unfortunately, the summons didn’t contain a destination. It was a journey he would have to walk by faith and that’s always difficult. 

That wasn’t the only challenge. Prince, the angry devil was lurking around like a lion. His goal was simple, to prevent Merchant from fulfilling the task of the Creator. But for Merchant, what worried him the most was the uncertainties that surrounded the call. He would have to leave home, leave his comfort zone and everything he stood for. The call also contained an information that was disturbing. He would have to sell everything he had to find that pearl that would save the world. When he found them, he would have to buy them. This means that he would have to lose all to find this pearl. As thoughts flooded his mind and worry took over his heart, one question echoed in his innermost parts; is it worth it?

“27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. “29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother [a] or wife or children or [b] lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” NKJV Matthew 19:27-29

There is a price for anything great. And yes, the prize determines the price. The journey to seeking the Kingdom of God has a price tag on it. Unlike perishable things, this one will cost us everything and mostly that’s what scares us. We are worried about how we must lose to cleave. But nothing great comes cheap. In the long analysis, what really matters is whether those sacrifices we make, the prices we pay, is worth the prize we get. 

People of God, the God who created us knows how to reward us. The prize is more than the price. Romans 8:18 (“For I consider that (A) the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” NKJV) makes it clear indeed. And whenever we feel like giving up, let us look at the prize.

TO BE CONTINUED…