The Place of Hard Work in Spirituality
This valuable relationship also comes at the cost of effort and hard work.
Anything of value in life comes at the cost of effort and hard work. Having a healthy body requires effort and hard work—you have to take care of your body through disciplined food choices and engaging in adequate exercise. Having a close-knitted family requires effort and hard work—building relationships with each member of the family on a daily basis. Producing valuable work that others will benefit from requires effort and hard work—working hard on your craft day in and day out. Anything valuable in life comes at a cost. There are no exceptions to this rule in life.
It's the same with having a robust spirituality—having a close relationship with Christ. This valuable relationship also comes at the cost of effort and hard work. It's hard work to pray to God every day. It's hard work to read and study Scripture. It's hard work to enter into worship. It's hard work to engage in contemplation. We must accept that this will be hard work. (Hard work isn't necessarily a dreadful thing though. Hard work can be a very joyous thing.) But when we put effort into these spiritual practices, we come out with something very valuable—a close and vibrant relationship with Jesus that permeates every area of our lives.
If you think about it, even our salvation, the most valuable thing we have received from God, came at the cost of effort and hard work. Someone had to pay for the salvation that we have received so freely through faith. Jesus paid the cost of salvation. Jesus was the one who put in the effort and hard work to come to our world and suffer and die on the cross. Even though salvation is free for us who have faith, Jesus had to pay for it first. And he paid for it with His own blood.
Although salvation is free, the Bible tells us that discipleship—the process of following Jesus—is costly. Jesus said, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Matt. 16:24 ESV). Jesus clearly told His disciples that following Him wasn't going to be easy. It would require effort and hard work on their part. And so, although I never question my salvation (I believe I am saved now and forever), I am always evaluating my discipleship—how well I'm following Jesus to become more like Him every day. I accept that my Christlikeness will come at the cost of effort and hard work in tandem with the power of the Holy Spirit. And if I put in the effort and hard work, I believe I will reap the benefits that come along with a close and vibrant relationship with Christ.
Barnabas the Monastic
Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.
