“To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.” (Colossians 1:29) I have had the pleasure (many might say displeasure) of running multiple 90km Comrades marathons. It required strenuous physical and mental effort to complete the race. I am sure you too have experienced the strenuous effort required in trying to get through something difficult. And so, when it comes to living a Godly life, the most difficult undertaking of all, we naturally attempt to apply our same approach -our same strenuous effort. Yet this time, no matter how far we push ourselves, no matter how hard we try, we seem to always fail. Is strenuous effort not needed? Of course, it is. Anything worth achieving requires effort. However, the difference is while it may be our effort it’s not our energy, it’s Jesus’ energy. So, when situations are difficult, don’t try harder, try Jesus. Let him be your energy to power your effort. Let him work powerfully in you.
