How bad do we want the next level?

We want to go to the next level of intimacy with God and fruitfulness in God. We want revival in the church and transformation in our land. What Christian would argue with those statements? But the truth is we don’t want those things if they come with a price tag. And they do come with a price tag and it is a price we are seldom willing to pay. It is not the price we normally hear about, pray more, give more. In fact the price will be different every time. But almost always the price will be offensive, costly and unexpected. The Jews wanted their Messiah, he came, but he was from Nazareth, came from an unwed mother and didn’t look at all like King David. God had answered their prayer but in a package they didn’t recognize, He was offensive. I have been in situations where we have been praying for healing and one person gets healed and another doesn’t. It’s confusing and awkward, it leaves unanswered questions. Many would rather not have healing if it comes in that package, better to back away from it then have confusion. I have heard pastors say I want more power but I don’t want people to fall in church. God send it, but send it my way. And whatever happens don’t let attendance and giving go down. What if God sent revival and it meant you had to travel a long way and have a preacher you found offensive lay hands on you? What if it meant leaving a secure job and moving somewhere where you had to trust God to provide? What if it meant being misunderstood by family and losing some friends? The owner of the field sold everything to get the pearl of great price. Proud Naaman had to submit to Elisha’s direction and dip seven times in the dirty Jordan to be healed of leprosy. God wants to know do you want the answer to your prayers enough to pay the price. Are you willing to embrace the offense, whatever it is, and go and do things he says without having all the answers and surely being misunderstood. The price tag will be different every time but three things are sure, it will be costly, it will be unexpected, and it will in some way be offensive. How bad do we want the next level?