This month marks 52 years since I surrendered my life to Christ Jesus as Savior and LORD. It is a decision I have never regretted. But after 52 years I can firmly say that the Christian Walk is not a walk in the park.
Matthew and Luke both reported that Jesus spoke about the need for endurance. [Matthew 10:22, Luke 21:19]
Paul reminded us that as God’s ministers we are going to need “great endurance,” and that our life might be characterized by afflictions, hardships, difficulties, etc. [2 Corinthians 6:3-5]
James tells us that our faith WILL be tested but that the testing WILL produce endurance. He also tells us that we must allow that endurance to “do its complete work, so that [we] may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” [James 1:3-4 HCSB]
I admit that I want to be mature. I want to be complete. I want to lack nothing in my walk with Christ Jesus. I also admit that I wish I could have all those things without the afflictions, hardships, difficulties, testing, etc.
I wish my Christian Walk WAS a walk in the park. But apparently God knows I won’t become complete and mature just by a casually strolling through life!