You get to choose your hard.

You may have heard this in the gym, if you’re a gym person “If it were easy everyone would do it”. If you are not a “gym” person, then hear me out. Number one, I am an advocate for movement. Move your body. God only gave you one to borrow here on this earth and until he makes it new and glorious, take care of it. Number two, it is WORK to take care of it. It’s not easy to have enough discipline to wake up before your kids to make sure you get a 20-minute YouTube workout it. It’s not easy to eat grilled chicken when you really want pizza … again. It’s not easy to cook real food when you could easily go through a drive through and save time!

You know what else isn’t easy? Heart failure, chronic kidney disease, diabetes. Now this blog isn’t all about physical health, but if you’re feeling convicted, take a look at your lifestyle and see what you might be able to change or start… or stop… yikes.

Here is something else to ponder as it relates to ease. It’s not easy to make sure you do your bible study before you scroll social media. It’s not easy to pray for that selfish and rude coworker. It’s not easy to tithe and give to those who are less fortunate (because after all they probably did something wrong to get themselves into this problem anyway right?) It’s not easy to go through hard times with Joy.

You know what else isn’t easy? Feeling distant from God, not setting a good example for your kids, NOT hearing God say “well done my good and faithful servant”. Ouch. If you’re feeling convicted, take a look at your lifestyle and see what you might be able to change, or start… or stop.

It's not easy, but it's worth it.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

The reality is everything is hard. You have to choose your hard. It takes persistence and endurance and discipline. But guess what? You have the persistence and endurance and discipline in the power of the Holy Spirit. If you are a believer, it is (or HE is) already inside you. You just have to choose to let him work!

The beginning of the year felt like a good time to set the bar high

. Life is hard. Choices are hard. Consequences are HARD. We have to choose our hard. We have to choose the path less traveled.

“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” Matthew 7:13-14

Don’t you find it interesting that the author here said “those who find it are few”, those who FIND it are few. This means we have to actively search for this path ladies. Just like no one becomes fit or healthy or fast by mistake, no one becomes generous, or trustworthy or righteous by mistake either.

"But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” Matthew 6:33

“Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” Pslam 105:4

"You will seek me and find me, when you search for me with all your heart" Jeremiah 29:13

 So, let’s seek the Lord, let's choose hard together. Let’s search for the path less traveled.