Marathon runners are a special group of people. They run 26 miles not to escape from anything nor are they trying to get somewhere, but they run for the fun of it. . For me, running 26 miles isn’t any fun. I have often said that if I am going to go 26 miles, I am going to get in the car and drive it. I do admire those who are able to run marathons, or even for that matter, half marathons. As some of you know, preparing for and running a marathon takes a lot of commitment. It takes commitment to train as well as commitment to finish the marathon on race day. But as anyone who has finished a marathon or a half marathon will tell you, when you cross the finish line the commitment was worth it all.
However, before the shoes are laced up, a mile is run or an endeavor undertaken two things must happen. First, the cost must be counted. One must determine what the cost would in order to make the commitment to run a marathon. This cost is calculated by asking, “Do I have the time, the energy or the resources to commit to this endeavor?” Whether it be running a marathon or an opportunity that arises in life, the cost must always be counted. Even Jesus pointed this out in Luke 14:28 when He said, “But don’t begin until you count the cost. For who would begin construction of a building without first calculating the cost to see if there is enough money to finish it?”
Counting the Cost
The interesting thing about leaders is that there comes a point where their decisions about activities is not one of good vs. bad, but a choice between good vs. better. A key way to help to make that decision to commit or not is by counting the cost. “Do I have the kind of time, the kind of energy, the kind of resources to give this endeavor so that I can commit wholeheartedly?” John Maxwell points out, “The commitment becomes much stronger when you have already counted the cost.”[1]
Determine the Price to Pay
The second thing that must happen is that you have to determine whether or not you want to pay the price. Is committing to this endeavor worth the time, the energy or the resources that need to be invested to be successful? You may notice that as you are answering this question that the price is too high for you to commit to the endeavor. It may take too much time away from your family or job. It may be something that you don’t have enough energy for the long term. You may not have the resources to be able to commit to this and be successful.
I will admit there have been endeavors I have undertaken and have committed to, but then realized that I hadn’t counted the cost nor was will willing to pay the price to be successful. I then had to ungraciously admit to making a mistake in accepting this opportunity and back out, all because I had not counted the cost or was willing to pay the price it took to be successful. I hope that before you commit to doing something, especially long-term that you will count the cost and be willing to pay the price before you say, “Yes.”
Conversation:
Are there situations in your life where you find yourself not being committed to an endeavor you have undertaken?
What can you do to make sure that you count the cost and determine whether you are wiling to pay the price before you agree to an opportunity?
[1]John Maxwell, Today Matters, 162
Recommended Reading
ntegrity—more than simple honesty, it's the key to success. A person with integrity has the ability to pull everything together, to make it all happen no matter how challenging the circumstances. Drawing on experiences from his work, Dr. Henry Cloud, a clinical psychologist, leadership coach, corporate consultant and nationally syndicated radio host, shows how our character can keep us from achieving all we want to (or could) be.
In Integrity, Dr. Cloud explores the six qualities of character that define integrity, and how people with integrity:
Are able to connect with others and build trust
Are oriented toward reality
Finish well
Embrace the negative
Are oriented toward increase
Have an understanding of the transcendent
Integrity is not something that you either have or don't, but instead is an exciting growth path that all of us can engage in and enjoy.