Joy and Strength (Christian life and music)

  There is a huge price to pay when we truly follow Jesus all the way.  We will be misunderstood, mocked, ostracized, even persecuted.  There will be trials and tribulations.  So why bother?  Because He is worth it.  And what He offers - true peace, joy, comfort, redemption, being His daughter, faithfulness, wisdom, and oh, so much more - trumps anything this ol' world has to offer.   It pretty much boils down to having a longterm view of things.  Will we give up some worldly kudos for His present and eternal blessings?  Or will we strive to make sense of this life without a longterm, eternal view knowing deep down that it all flies by in a flash only to face Him in eternity anyway?  Oh, and being a "good person" won't fly in the end.  It is only by His precious blood shed for us that any of us can know His salvation. What we give up for His sake is nothing compared to the treasures we have in Him both now and forever.  And that is why I will follow Jesus always.  I&#