Remaining within our comfort zone can be one of the most significant barriers to the growth of our faith. We tend to be lazy by nature. Some of us like to do as little as possible, for as long as possible. Any form of effort is a challenge for us. But this tendency leads to a life of mediocrity. We only grow when we dare to step outside our comfortable boundaries and reach for new horizons.

 

When Peter exhorts us to “make every effort”, he challenges us to get into motion. When we make every effort, it means that something is so important to us that we hold nothing back. We get up from our comfortable recliner and put on our exercise gear. We push ourselves to reach beyond our comfort threshold. Why is it so crucial in life that we must give our all? We are challenged to take up our new life in Christ with the power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord has called us by name to follow him. He has chosen us to be his disciples. He paid for us dearly with the sacrifice of his Son on the cross. When we accepted the grace of God by faith, we became new persons in Christ. John 1:12 calls us “children of God”. The new life in Christ is a gift from God, but now we have the responsibility to grow in faith.

 

Yes, we are called God’s children when we know Jesus as our Lord. But when we are born again, we are still infants in faith. Now this is important: a human baby is 100% human. He or she has all the potential in them to grow up and become excellent in the field God has created them for. But that baby needs the care, nourishment and coaching of adults to reach their full potential in life. The same is true in the kingdom of God. We are God’s children, saved by the grace of God. But now we must grow in faith to reach spiritual adulthood, to be effective disciples of Christ. We need to be a part of God’s family in this world, the church, receiving the love and care we need to grow. We need the nourishment of God’s Word and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

 

When we make every effort to strive for the kingdom of God, we will continue to grow spiritually. Hebrews 12:2 encourages us to run the race of life with our eyes fixed on Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith. I love to ride my motorcycle on gravel roads and these principles keep me safe: we are taught to “stand up, head up, open up” when we reach dangerous sandy patches. The same is true in our spiritual lives! When we stand up for Jesus, fix our eyes upon him and be in motion for him, we will not fall easily.

 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for being the pioneer and perfecter of my faith. I am grateful to follow in your footsteps and trust that you will always guide me on the right path. Help me grow in my love for you, and may my enthusiasm and obedience continue to flourish for your sake. Please protect me from stumbling and falling along the way. Amen.