The Value of Effort

I’ve been realizing how much I take for granted. Not the usual items like water, my mom, or my functioning legs. More like taking for granted the work that goes into a final product, more specifically, people. Mind you, people are never finished products, but rather beautiful creations that are consistently evolving and growing into better (maybe sometimes worse) versions of themselves. But we’ve all accomplished things that have required work.

I look at things like my parents’ marriage and see how after 28 years, they love each other madly, have built a beautiful family that they take great care of, have never fought in front of their kids, and have never left each other. It’s common for me to look at that and go, “Oh it’s so great, my parents love each other and always will. They’ve just figured it out and made it easy.” It’s simple to look at a long lasting marriage full of love and think things like, “They must have very few differences or problems with each other.” “That couple must just love each other more than other couples do.” “Nothing fazes them, so they’re really content.” Some of those statements may be true, but they are never at the core of what creates a successful marriage. I didn’t understand or recognize any of this until I became married myself.

The bottom line is that happy marriages require EFFORT and lots of it. This is in no way a slam to marriages that didn’t last forever, but a tribute to the ones that do. Couples who stay together until they die have laid an incredible foundation, and worked very hard to have what they have. It’s a concept we all have a head knowledge of, but experiencing and truly realizing that is something else.

I am, however, definitely talking about a lot more than just marriage in this context. This blog is dedicated to living a radical life pursuing God, and let me tell you, there is nothing but effort put into that. Yes, you know there are easier times when God blesses us and lets us rest in His goodness, but the behind the scenes, it can be a battlefield. Pursuing God in our lives requires our efforts when no one notices. It’s time alone with Him, in the secret place. Devotions, worship, communication, Scripture. Not just in the half hour of set aside time, but regularly, daily. Being in constant communication and adoration of our Jesus.

Remembering to thank Him for things. Remembering to worship Him, even when we feel dry and drained. Remembering to listen for His voice either for our own personal benefit, or to communicate it to someone around us. Remembering to be obedient when we do hear Him. Sounds like a lot of remembering. This is where the Holy Spirit comes in, who in John 14:26 is sent to “remind you of everything I [Jesus] told you.” Remembering is a powerful tool that is often more important than learning something new. What I am remembering is that radically living and carrying the Presence of God with me is something that requires my effort, and I can never devalue that.

Sometimes people tell me that they see an incredible amount of joy in my life, which happens to be my favourite fruit of the Spirit and my middle name. People have also assumed that this comes from a life without struggles and a natural happiness. While I have a God-given gift of optimism, the JOY I experience is something I have worked very hard for through God’s grace. The same can be said for when I see a person with incredible patience (which I have about zero amounts of). I can assume that they are naturally patient and perhaps a slower paced person, which may have some truth. But often times, it’s the persistence of growing in that gift and using God’s strength to develop that trait in themselves. I think specifically of moms with small kids. :)

To sum it all up, godly traits and character require effort that we should never take for granted in ourselves or the people around us. If you see someone with traits you desire, remember that it probably took them a while to get there, and a lot of personal work on their own flesh. I look at pastors who are doing radical things for God and ask myself why I’m not there yet. Other than maybe time spent in ministry, the basic answer is that I haven’t put the time and effort pursing God’s kingdom in the way they have. And instead of being discouraged by the workload, I choose to immerse myself in His Presence, and sacrifice things to put Him first and see the fruits of my labour. I challenge you to do the same.