December 11, 2018
2 Peter 1:2-15 New Living Translation (NLT)
I have never minded hard work (effort). I am grateful, because everything in life worthwhile requires effort and sometimes sacrifice. Any form of work calls for grace (favor of God) and endurance because some work can involve a difficult process.
Our spiritual life requires work, grace, and endurance, too. The process can be difficult and even painful. However, many people fail to grasp just how essential this form of work or effort is for sharing in the divine nature; such effort is required to lay hold of the eternal promises given by God. So what is this spiritual work? Our spiritual work is to believe in the One whom God sent to take us on the faith journey. Our faith, strength, and peace are dependent on the work of Christ on the cross and our willingness to follow him on the path toward the shalom or peace of God’s eternal presence.
As we continue on our Advent journey toward peace, may we allow Christ to shed his Light on the importance of following him even when the work of trusting him in the process is hard. Shalom!