Being a Christian in the United States is super easy. We have churches on every corner. It is the dominant religion by far.

We describe Christianity as a religion with set beliefs and practices. But there is a great diversity in it. And honestly, you can get away believing pretty much whatever you want because you’ll find cover for it.

Heck, people don’t even have to go to church at all — a cultural Christianity mixed with strains of Protestantism lets us believe without practicing — claiming that what is in our hearts is quite literally the only thing that matters.

We can say Christians believe in peace and then also advocate for war. Or that Jesus wouldn’t welcome immigrants. And even that the U.S. is the New Jerusalem—without even a hint of irony.

And yet the vision of discipleship that Jesus offers in the gospels is nearly unrecognizable in this. Not because of our division or our openness, but in our general lack of sacrifice.

This isn’t to say we aren’t trying. We totally are. But when following Jesus is easy, are we disciples or hangers-on? How much of our faith is sacrificial? And are we able to learn what Jesus teaches? Like: what do we let go of to find eternal life?