The Right Thing Isn't Always Easy To Do

I don't know when I first got the idea that obeying God would mean a smooth road ahead.
Have you ever fallen into that trap?
It's taken me quite a long time to see it as a trap, in fact.

The more I spend time reading God's Word, the Bible, the more I see how God works.
Not that I have Him figured out.
Or that I can predict what He will do next.
Far from it!
But I do see reality mixed with the supernatural.
Where faith meets real life.

Many times doing what God calls us to do is exceptionally hard.
Jesus said...
John 16:33 ".... In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Even Jesus..the Holy, perfect Son of God... faced major trouble when He came to this earth.
They tortured Him and nailed Him to the Cross.
If I'm truly a Christ follower why should I expect a smoother road than He had?

The more closely I follow, the more the journey should resemble His.
And so in an imperfect, stumbling way I do follow.

Tradition indicates all of the disciples were killed for their faith, with the exception of John.
But he was severely tortured.

The apostle Paul faced beatings, stonings, whippings, time in rancid jails, etc.
There was a lot of "etc." in his life.

Church history clearly shows us that those who attempt to live Godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

I'm not looking for persecution.
But it's inevitable.
How much better to understand this before the heat gets turned up.

Maybe you have a choice to make today.
You can choose God's way, or another option.
Either way it's not going to be easy.

But the question is... which choice will please the Lord the most?
He'll honor your desire to do the right thing for the right reason.
You'll have peace in the storm.
His Presence in the darkness.
And His blessing when "this too shall pass".