15 Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
Spiritual growth takes effort. We have to be willing to stick to the process through the tough times rather than jump ship mid stream. With the birth of our first grandson just ten days ago, the process of birth again took on a reality that had faded since our last child was born over twenty years ago. What was enlightening was watching our son’s reactions to our daughter’s labor pains. Since he had never seen the pain of labor firsthand, his expressions of concern and almost disbelief at the intensity of his sister’s pain was telling. Our son-in-law was raptured in delight and excitement. He was intensely caring for his wife and future son. His focus was in a different place than our son’s. Of course our daughter could not have said, “Enough, I don’t want to finish this process” right in the middle. One way or another that boy was going to enter the world. There was no way for him to stay in her womb. He was on his way out! Sometimes when our spiritual journey with Jesus gets difficult we want to find a way to stop the natural process or put it on hold for a while. But it is exactly at those times that we need to draw in close to Jesus, hold His hand and bear the pain. In drawing close we find the strength to endure the process. But it takes diligence, the ability to stick with a course of action until it is completed. Our lives need to become focused on and consumed with our relationship with Jesus. Every area is being examined by Jesus, and He has a plan to bring it into harmony with His nature and plan. Are we willing to give ourselves completely into His hands? If we are then others will see the progress. Even over the week that we spent with our new grandson we saw progress. At first he slept constantly. Even at one week old he had begun spending time looking and observing our faces. He became fascinated by my opening and closing hand, mesmerized by the motion, his brain trying to make sense of his new world. And his growth is just beginning in this outside world. Because we live so many miles apart I am sure we will miss many milestones, but just because we do not observe them does not mean they will not take place. Others will observe them and I am sure I will get many joyful reports. The same is true of anyone growing in Jesus. The growth will be seen and joyful reports will be passed on. Be diligent!
The Arnold Journey 