The Hard Walk

Mark 4:18-19

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

Good morning ladies,

A few days ago I went for a walk with my friend Karen. She and I have been walking together on and off for years.

When we first started walking we would walk what we have nicknamed “the trail of tears” (no disrespect intended to the Native Americans) because it was so difficult. Over the years our walks changed, they got easier and shorter until we finally quit and joined the gym because we weren’t getting enough exercise.

A few weeks ago we decided we needed to back to walking our long walk. We both love being outside and walking gives us time to talk and since we had quit going to the gym, we needed the exercise

The first day we were both concerned. In our minds we had built this walk into an insurmountable obstacle, something way too hard for mortal man.

You can imagine our surprise to find it was way easier than we remembered and actually a lot of fun.

I think that this is what happens with Christians. They get “saved” and they are so excited that they are willing to walk the hard walk because they love Jesus so much. They are willing and anxious to study their Bibles and pray. Even when they aren’t sure what they are doing.

Slowly something changes. Maybe they didn’t get the desired results; maybe they got distracted by the world, or maybe they got blindsided by a trial. Who knows, but suddenly it all seems too
hard. They start neglecting Bible study and prayer until finally the things of God don’t seem that exciting anymore. It is just another chore and they quit.

I know that is what happened to me. And I don’t think I am alone.

If you have gotten lazy about your quiet time or lackadaisical about prayer and Bible study I encourage you to try again.

I think you will find it is worth it.

Love,
Jill