April 30th

April 30th

Do you want better or do you want easier?

This is a decision we must make. Most of the time better is harder and easier is not as good. So we have to decide what we want in the long run. Harder doesn’t necessarily mean more complicated or difficult, it just means not as easy.

Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

We have to persevere, run the race and endure. It doesn’t say stroll along, or ride an uber, it says run, which is work. Running is more work than walking or taking an uber but it is also a better workout.

Work shapes us, just like working out literally shapes us. The work of doing what is better for us, instead of easier, transforms us from the inside out. I am reminded of the animated movie Wall-E. In that movie, everyone sat around in beach chairs being served up whatever they wanted. They didn’t have to move at all. In short time, they were all huge and weak. So weak they could no longer get up and soon had to use a straw to drink because they were too weak to hold up their drinks, etc.

What if the Israelites had stopped before they crossed the Jordan or before they left the desert because they were afraid of the hard work ahead? What if they wanted to stay in the desert and just eat manna because that was served up to them like room service? They would have missed out on all of the abundant crops they enjoyed in the promised land of milk and honey all because they wanted easy instead of better.

Joshua 5:11-12 The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate the produce of Canaan.

The Lord provided for the people of Israel when they were in the desert and had no means to get their own food. He gave them manna. But only until they reached a point that they could feed themselves on the crops of the promised land. Then He cut the apron strings and they had to harvest food for themselves. God does this for us. He is ALWAYS there for us when we need Him. He provides when we can’t, but He wants us to seek Him for nourishment, when we are able. So unless you are a quadriplegic in a hospital bed somewhere, you are quite capable of seeking nourishment on your own through reading your Bible and spending time with the Lord in prayer. And He will be faithful to fill you up with all that you need. Seek better, not easier and you will reap bountiful results!

Jesus, you know it is not in our nature to desire to work more. Help me to find a balance between the effort I put into my relationship with you and rest and play. Help me to dig in my heels and persevere in this race. Help me to train well through your Word and prayer and fellowship. Thank you Lord for providing manna when I am unable to “feed” myself but help me to be diligent to do more than snack when I am able. Thank you for your perfect love for me and for your faithfulness!