Hebrews 5:11-6:12
Be Still: Jesus, open my eyes to see you rightly today. As I spend time in your Word, would you transform my heart and mind. Come and have your way. Amen
Read: Hebrews 5:11-6:12
We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realised. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised. (v11-12)
Encounter: Starting is easy; finishing is harder.
We can begin a project with the best intentions… the excitement of a new idea and all its possibilities can be excellent motivators. However, as soon as things get tough, or perhaps even boring, our short attention span can struggle to cling on. The high of an idea quickly dwindles and the temptation of a new one creeps in. (An ode to all the half-built sheds, paint swatches on the wall or half knitted scarfs gathering dust.)
Longevity in anything is hard, but even more so in faith. The transformation of our hearts doesn’t happen in an instant but instead over years, even decades. Long obedience in the same direction, through time in his Word, in prayer and through community, is the key to becoming more like Christ. Like rocks steadily being shaped by the tide. We know this to be true, and yet how hard it can be to keep going when life feels hard work, when we get distracted, bored or tired. Is it really worth it?
Paul says yes! Not for any human acknowledgment, or for an earthly reward, but for 'the promise to come' in Christ. He encourages us to keep pushing on, not just for five more minutes, or one more day, but until the very end. Until we see our hope fully realised. Let’s not be content to bow out half-way through the race, but continue on towards the prize with patience and steadfast faith.
Apply: Is there anywhere you feel you’ve become 'lazy' or too comfortable in your faith? What would it look like to become more disciplined in your time with God? Maybe you could think of a friend or mentor to share this with and ask them to encourage and challenge you.
Devote: Jesus, help us to remain steadfast in our pursuit of you. Highlight any areas where we’ve lost sight of the true prize and gone off track. We fix our eyes on you.
