Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. 2 Timothy 2:3-6
Is the Christian life easy or hard? Yes! Its both. Its easy once you’ve made the hard decision to follow Jesus example and teaching in all things (when He is the Lord of my life). Circumstances will change all the time, but if my heart and mind are already set to go God’s way, I won’t daily conflict inside myself. That’s a huge relief in life. Paul advises Timothy to make spiritual disciplines a priority in his life. And he reminds him to play by the rules. These general guidelines are powerful guardrails against shortcuts and pseudo-spirituality. Farming in God’s field requires work, but the rewards are certainly worth it!
How willing am I to endure hardship? Am I entangled by the ‘affairs of everyday life’? What part of God’s field am I called to farm at this time?
God, as this day continues on, I want to remain available to You and to remain in His Majesty’s Service (IHS). Thank you for the privilege. Remind me that there is value in playing by the rules… because it matters to You! Please help me finish the day as strong as the start. Amen.
