When you go into a store, everything has a price tag. The nicer the product, the higher the price. Coming to Alaska to fish for three weeks has a cost. There is the obvious cost of flying here via Alaska Airlines, the out-of-state fishing license, food, gas for vehicles, fixing and maintaining my boat, launch fees, and fishing tackle. But another cost is five hours of sleep each night. Also, my hands get dozens of “fish bites” where I get scratched with salmon teeth while getting them out of the net, getting the hook out, and cutting their gills. They get infected from the fish slime and hurt like crazy. Also, I fillet and clean a lot of the fish everyone catches, and my hands ache from that work. And then there are the hours of standing fishing for and fighting salmon, which causes my legs, back, and shoulders to ache. I have been catching my limit of six salmon every day.

Nothing is free and the greater the benefit, and the greater the blessing and joy, the higher the cost. So I am not complaining or feeling sorry for myself for the price I pay to fish. The joy and blessing that I receive is more than worth it. Many people won’t pay the price for a good marriage, good relationships with other people in their lives, or a growing relationship with Jesus. Jesus’ words are clear: if you want to follow me, take up your cross daily. The most significant cost that there is, is the price for our sins, and Jesus paid that price with his death on the cross. Many people think they can pay that price; they can’t, but they refuse to let Jesus pay for it. The greater the benefit, blessing, and joy, the higher the price for anything worth having or experiencing in life. Be willing to pay the price; there is no free lunch. But we can’t pay the price for our eternal life; the price is too high. Be willing to let Jesus pay for it.