Sitting at a desk all day is some people’s idea of hell. I don’t mind it, but I know I don’t get up and move as often as I would like or should.
When I do get up, say to go to the bathroom (are you scared yet?), I head for the stairs (phew, crisis averted). I work in a three story building with an elevator, but I have never used it. Firstly because I want the exercise and secondly because it forces me to take more time for a break.
I was thinking the other day that in this area I deliberately chose the hard way because I understood its benefits while I don’t always see it that way with my spiritual life or life in general.
I know I often tend to ignore or at least begrudge the types of challenges that are leading me where I want to go. Instead of starting up the stairs, I am desperately looking for an elevator.
I run from one side to the other, freaking out (while that time could have been spent making progress). Where is that elevator? Or at least someone get me an ‘easy’ button, STAT!
How is it that I can see the benefits of the harder way when it comes to my health, but I can’t see it in regard to spirituality and relationship with God?
If I can finally grasp this, then maybe I’ll understand that the Apostle Paul wasn’t being a jerk when he said to us, “…we rejoice in our sufferings” not because we are masochists but because we understand what it produces (Romans 5:3).
Ah, that’s why he also said in Romans 8:18 that he considers “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”
Great athletes don’t train and put themselves through rigorous conditions because they’re stupid. They are after something. There is a purpose for their “suffering” and a passion to succeed.
I’m afraid there is no spiritual elevator so I should stop looking for one, grab all my friends, and start heading up those stairs. That means disciplining myself as well as allowing His discipline to work in me (we can endure all hardship as discipline [Hebrews 12:7]).
Remember the wisdom of Miley Cyrus, arguably the poet laureate of this generation,
Ain’t about how fast I get there,
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb (yeah)
The climb is important, but thankfully right next to us, every step of the way, is our God and King. We may stumble, but we only have to lean on Him.
Life is full of challenges to believe and trust, to love without reserve, to grow and change. I truly believe it’s time to embrace this. It may not be easy, but I understand why I’m doing it and the benefits born of believing and forging ahead.
That puts a little different spin on Psalm 103:2, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Sure, it's a narrow road, but we are loved, guided, trained, and released into a wonderful destiny with every step. Where else can I find that?
That puts a little different spin on Psalm 103:2, “Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.” Sure, it's a narrow road, but we are loved, guided, trained, and released into a wonderful destiny with every step. Where else can I find that?
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