A Call to radical discipleship

I am just pasting some of the thoughts that came across my mind when I was studying the word. Thought of sharing it online since it will useful for me as well as many others.
The relevant scriptures are the portions on discipleship Luke 14:25-35,Matthew 16:24-28,Mark 8:34-38.

Here Jesus is talking about how everyone who wished to follow HIM should give up their selfish ambitions and follow him.
Now some points here. This is applicable for everyone who wish to follow HIM not just for the pastors and missionaries . Jesus is telling everyone who wants to follow him to give up their lives and follow him.

The way I understand this is like this : After we decide to follow Jesus , every decision we make has to be based on this statement . This includes the career we choose, the place we wish to settle in , the person we choose to marry etc.

Now I come to the important point : Why are we then not seeing this commitment in the believers today ? When it comes to "visible" evils , like drinking or smoking , everyone is very spiritual but my question is why is this call to discipleship not seen in the other choices in life like career job etc ?

I will put it like this . Suppose somebody has an educational qualification . He or she can think this way "I have this qualification which the LORD has given . I will work in some institute in north india , where I can win many people for the LORD . I can start a fellowship in the college where I work and be useful to the LORD since my life is given up for christ." Why is it that this pattern of thinking not even coming near our minds. On the other hand , thoughts about settling abroad and following our ambitions flood our minds.

I am not telling that everyone should leave for north india. But I am asking this question once again , why is that this thinking is not even crossing our minds. We think we can live for ourselves and leave the work to pastors. NO!! The LORD is asking everyone who wishes to follow him to give up his lfe for him....