Sue’s Monday Morning Meditation
Why So Hard
03-04-2024
Scripture:
So we’re not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can’t see now will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18 MSG)
Comments:
I was chatting with a young friend whose spiritual formation has been inspirational to me. He bemoaned his inability to remain consistent with a spiritual practice he knew would be beneficial saying, “I know that quiet time spent in prayer and in the Lord’s presence is probably the most fruitful thing I can do to start my day, so then WHY IS IT SO HARD?
I’ve asked myself that question many times! Consolation has come from words spoken by the Apostle Paul in Romans 7. Paul also laments, “ I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do … For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” (Romans 7:15 & 18 NIV)
“Why is it so hard?”
“Why do I keep doing what I truly don’t want to keep doing?”
These are age old questions. I believe with consistent prayer and searching, the Spirit will bring insight and wisdom, and we can be certain growth will occur. While we wait for breakthrough or transformation, we do well to keep on persisting in our faith journey with a focus on what we can do rather than what we cannot do, fixing our spiritual gaze not only on what we can see but believing the work of God’s Spirit is oftentimes unseen, but “forever valuable.”
Each soul is uniquely designed. In different areas—including our spiritual formation— we possess strengths and places where we flow more naturally. Also, we each have areas in which we are challenged, struggle, and wonder “why is it so hard?” In my personal journey, I’m trying to learn to extend more grace than condemnation to myself as well as others and remember this is a lifelong process.
Now, back to my young friend. He concluded our conversation by saying with a shrug and a smile, “I guess I’ll just continue to practice!” Good advice!
Prayer:
Lord,
It’s so easy for me to focus on what I am doing wrong,
rather than on what you may be doing behind the scenes to transform my life
into a more accurate reflection of Jesus.
Help me see more clearly the things yet unseen but which will last forever.
I trust in your good Spirit to do the “behind-the scenes,” work.
Please increase my ability to “listen” and my willingness to obey You!
Amen
Reflection Question(s):
What thoughts arise when you read my friend’s statement, “I guess I’ll just continue to practice?” Does this feel fatalistic or faith-inspiring? What “whole-soul wellness” discipline do you need to keep practicing? When you have grown in this area, what difference do you imagine it might make in your spiritual maturity and effectiveness?
Blessings on your meditations this Monday!
