Make Every Effort

“Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time.” Said Thomas Edison, who after 1000 attempts, succeeds with the invention of the light bulb. Try just one more time!  The 4 guys carrying the paralytic in Mark chapter 2, understood this. Jesus is preaching to a packed house (literally) “Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they …” the story continues with the guys making an opening on the roof and lowering their friend right-in-front-of Jesus. Jesus seeing their faith, He heals buddy number 5, because they kept going, creatively going.

We are lazy people (in general) we give up quickly or keep our efforts minimal at best, after all, we wouldn’t want to exert ourselves. (Phew) We take this into our God walk as well. Peter wrote; “By His divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life… He has given us great and precious promises, enabling you to share in His divine nature.” (2 Pet 1:3-4, NLT) He continues, “In view of this, MAKE EVERY EFFORT …” (v5a, emphasis mine). Give all diligence in making good use of what God provides, apply it – apply yourselves! Peter goes on, saying ‘add to’ your faith; moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (vv 5-7). I would liken it to the Israelites in the wilderness, God provided the manna to survive, they were to go out and gather it, (yes, they had to work to get it) diligently they worked, adding to their jar each lil flake, they did this DAILY. (Ex. 16) Do WE put forth an effort to get the God stuff? Do we make time, make room, make it a PRIORITY to be in His word, talk to Him DAILY! Or do we mess around, give lil effort or quit altogether. Our very thriving existence depends on the effort we put into it!

Oh, and as for the guys and his lowered down friend? At Jesus’ word, he jumps up, grabs his mat and walked through the stunned onlookers. ‘They were all amazed and praised God…” (Mk 2:12) Those not giving up men with their determination to get to Jesus brought about a miracle, that miracle amazed the folks, which initiated praise. God doing a miracle in our own lives WILL catch the attention of others to the glory of God – our effort brings God glory!

Make every effort.

In Him, DeDe (“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love & good deeds.” – Hebrews 10:24)