COUNTING THE COST

It’s interesting how today my alarm went off at 3:45 a.m. It reminded me of a decision I made at the beginning of the year—to go back to school. That journey was both stressful and fulfilling. The early morning alarm brought back memories of the cost I had to pay to attend those classes.

We had exams every Thursday at 8:00 a.m., which meant I had to be awake by 3:45 a.m., leave the house by 4:30 a.m., and arrive at school in time for the test. I vividly recall one particular day when I woke up to pouring rain. I went to school and returned home later that day, still drenched from the downpour. But in the end, it wasn’t about the rain—it was about the sacrifices I made. To become the person you aspire to be, there’s always a price to pay. The question is: *How badly do you want it?*

My youngest brother, Levi, dreams of becoming one of the greatest football players of all time. One thing I’ve noticed is his understanding that success requires sacrifice. He’s paying the price. He invests time by going to the gym, running, and practicing his skills. He knows his role models in football and has studied their training regimens, adapting them to his own needs. Every morning, he meets his trainer at 5:00 a.m., goes for a jog at 8:00 a.m., and hits the gym in the evening for about an hour to an hour and a half. That’s counting the cost and being willing to pay it.

In Luke 14:28-29, the Bible says:  
“For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it—lest, after laying the foundation, he is unable to finish, and all who see it begin to mock him.”

Take Eliud Kipchoge, for example. He trains thirteen sessions a week, goes to the gym every day, and is mindful of his diet. In an interview, he mentioned that he recovers more effectively through training than by taking a full day’s rest.

Then there’s Muhammad Ali, who used to run six miles in under 40 minutes and train for three hours a day, doing sit-ups, bag punching, skipping, sparring, and shadowboxing.

Mike Tyson's routine was equally intense. At the age of thirteen, he committed to full-time boxing training. His daily workouts included 500 bench dips, 500 pushups, 500 weighted shrugs at 66 pounds, 1,000 sit-ups, and 1,000 air squats. He also carefully monitored his diet.

So, who do you want to be five years from now? Maybe you dream of owning a business. Have you counted the cost? Running a business isn’t easy. There will be sleepless nights, and at times, you’ll have to wear every hat in the company.

Perhaps you want to be in better shape. Are you ready to make the necessary sacrifices? Have you counted the cost? Are you willing to pay that price?

Whatever your goal is, whether personal or professional, sit down and reflect. Count the cost. Then ask yourself: *Am I willing to pay the price and go all the way?