The Tower and the King

“For which of you wanting to build a tower, doesn't first sit down and calculate the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, after he has laid the foundation and cannot finish it, all the onlookers will begin to make fun of him, saying, ‘This man started to build and wasn't able to finish.’ Or what king, going to war against another king, will not first sit down and decide if he is able with 10,000 to oppose the one who comes against him with 20,000? If not, while the other is still far off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace.”

(Luke 14:28-32)

In these two narratives, the protagonists tried to act with a great sense of responsibility so the result of the actions would not become unfavorable. In one, a careful accounting is done to verify if the tower will be finished and in the other the zeal is applied to check if a war should be declared.

In both cases the seriousness is evident so the mission can be carried out and the desired result can be achieved. We do the same when, for example, we read carefully a contract before signing it. Of course, nobody would sign any contract without examining thoroughly if he could comply with all the terms and covenants.

Why then should this same approach not be taken when dealing with spiritual subjects? Why should people hold on to any belief without thinking and analyzing it carefully with the intuition to check if the belief resonates with his or her innermost senses? A contract in default on earth brings damages to the signer as a logical consequence; entering in default after choosing any faith without a thorough examination could cost eternal life. As we utilize our full capacities in our earthly activities, there is more reason to do at least the same in subjects pertaining to our spiritual life. Acting this way is nothing wrong but a necessity of maximum importance. To follow any faith simply because it is the family custom that cannot be changed without causing disapproval shows only indolence of the spirit. This is exactly the case with majority of believers.

A keen intuition in continuous vigilance and spiritual movement constitute the sole warranty to get spiritual fruits out of spiritual development.

<< Return to Introduction